Now, that GeorgeB gave us officially the good news, that the Model S is "fully homologated, tested and approved by several governmental agencies" in the U.S., I'm starting to wonder, when and how Tesla will start to do the same for the European market. A few questions, that popped in to my mind: What kind of changes are required to the U.S. Model S because of European legislation? What steps are needed to homologate the Model S in the EU? Is there a separate homologation process needed for European countries like Switzerland, that are not part of the EU? Has TM completed the neccecary preparations for the European homologation or didn't they even start? What's your guestimate, when TM will finish that process? Can someone give me some clues to that questions? edit: @mods: Please move this thread to the Model S-Section, sorry for posting it in the wrong place...
I don't have moderation permissions here, so I'm not able to move this thread, another mod will pick this up. While designing the Model S Tesla seems to have designed the car for the EU specifications, since they are more strict then the US ones: - Lane changing turn indicators are mandatory, with Model S they are in the Tesla logo on the side - Reflectors on the back, they are on the Model S - Amber turn indicators A couple of things need to be done: - Rating of continues power, for the Roadster this is 40kW - Safety testing - Range testing (?) - 3-phase testing? I don't think anyone can give any estimates, but I'm guessing somewhere in September or October that this will be done.
I might be confused here, but I'm almost certain that I've seen them in amber, at least on the lane changing indicators. But swapping a Red for an Amber light isn't that hard.
Metric gauges; different headlight beams; mandatory rear fog light (and switch); possibly different rear view mirrors; and I expect a lot more of those.
I wouldn't mind having rear fog light on US cars - it gets so thick around the coast here it is really quite useful. I modded my Passat to have a rear fog light. On the other hand, it annoys me when I see clueless MB and Audi drivers with the rear fog on when there's no need for it.
My GTI has a rear foglamp (and LED taillights) now also. And I also see Audi and MB people with it on all the time, especially when it is a clear night. I think the EU has different bumper requirements (for hitting pedestrians) that may need to be changed. Headlamps are different but usually just angle adjustments are needed for that. Metric units I am sure are already in the programming on the screens. And of course there is that whole Right side drive problem the UK has.
Yes, I hate people who drive around with their fog lights on (Hey look! My car has Driving Lights!) - Cops are supposed to ticket for this but they never do.