TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Shipping my Model Y to Europe - Lots of questions and concerns!

Discussion in 'Model Y' started by Alex#$, Feb 4, 2020.

  1. Alex#$

    Alex#$ Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2020
    Messages:
    25
    Location:
    Fairbanks, AK
    Hello everyone,

    I'm in the military and there is a good chance I will be moving to Germany this winter. I'm expecting to take ownership of my Model Y prior to this move and I'd love to bring the car with me. My employer will pay for all the shipping expenses, but I have several questions about shipping the car as well as using a US spec Tesla in Europe.

    - Has anyone shipped their car internationally? Was the shipping company knowledgeable with how to care for EVs? What are the best charge levels/ modes to set the car to for shipping?

    - I understand newer European spec Tesla cars have a different charge plug style. Are the US standard plugs still usable? Are they being phased out or will there be continued support? (I'll likely be in Germany for three years).

    - I have heard some owners have issues with the software, LTE connection and other things such as the maps when they ship a US Tesla out of the country. How can I approach dealing with these issues?

    Sorry for the flood of questions! I would really appreciate some informed options on this topic. Thanks in advance!
     
    • Like x 2
  2. Alex#$

    Alex#$ Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2020
    Messages:
    25
    Location:
    Fairbanks, AK
    Okay - upon further research it seems charging a US Tesla in Europe is not as simple as i'd assumed. European Superchargers use two types of plugs (CCS type 2 and IEC 62196 I think), but neither of them are the US style Tesla plug.

    I found an adapter for sale by a third party that supposedly allows a US vechicle to utlize the IEC 62196 -
    NEW! Tesla Supercharger Adapter – European to US – EVSE Adapters Of course they are charging over $1000 USD :eek:

    What do you guys think about this?
     
  3. GSP

    GSP Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2007
    Messages:
    2,565
    The US Chademo adapter should work at Chademo stations worldwide, and has been reported to work in Europe.

    For AC charging you can use Tesla’s J1772 (type 1) adapter and a standard Type 1 to Type 2 cable.

    The slower charge rates compared to EU spec cars is not ideal, but workable if you don’t take long road trips.

    Driving a Y in Europe before it is released there will get you a lot of attention.

    Be sure to check with Tesla about service, they may refuse to service a US car in Europe.

    Good Luck,

    GSP
     
  4. Alex#$

    Alex#$ Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2020
    Messages:
    25
    Location:
    Fairbanks, AK
    Yes i figured the Chademo stations are a viable backup solution, but I prefer to stick to the Supercharger Network if at all possible.

    So I could just use the included J1772 adapter and then use a second adapter cable for connecting to the CCS 2? There wont be any issues with doubling up on the adapters?

    As far as Tesla proving service and maintaining the warranty, I should be protected by the Soldier's Civil Relief Act, which mandates that lien holders and car manufacturers must continue to provide service and warranty if the service member's car has to be shipped overseas for official duty.
     
  5. JasonR67

    JasonR67 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2019
    Messages:
    211
    Location:
    Raleigh(ish), North Carolina
    i strongly suspect you won’t get supercharging in that situation. Supercharger bypass onboard chargers. With adapters I don’t think that communication can happen.
     
  6. GSP

    GSP Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2007
    Messages:
    2,565
    In Europe car owners bring their own cables and plug into type 2 sockets. Type 2 cars use Type 2 on both ends of the cable, Type 1 cars, like the Leaf, or US Teslas with J1772 adapter, use Type 2 on one end and Type 1 on the other end. I have not read of any issues. There are several US spec Teslas in Russia and East Europe that use this for charging. Power is reduced since US Teslas can use only one of the three phases provided by Type 2. This is for AC charging only, not CCS DC charging. The cable doesn’t have the DC pins, just the non-CCS Type 2 plug.

    For DC charging Chademo might be the only option. Using and adapter on Superchargers might, or might not work. Regardless, it likely is illegal and risky to do so.

    GSP
     
    • Disagree x 1
  7. odguy

    odguy Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2016
    Messages:
    142
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    There was a user here that took his model 3 when was first released to Europe. He couldn't use superchargers and had no Tesla support. If you can wait for European release that would be best IMO
     
    • Informative x 1
    • Like x 1
  8. Uncle Paul

    Uncle Paul Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2013
    Messages:
    6,105
    Location:
    Canyon Lake,CA
    Would talk directly to Tesla about this. They would be the only ones with certain answers.
     
  9. kayak1

    kayak1 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2020
    Messages:
    88
    Location:
    USA, The great state of Maine
    Good luck with your move and new Model Y.

    Please keep up posted on what you find.

    And thanks for your service!
     
  10. Reeler

    Reeler Decade of Pure EV Driving

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2015
    Messages:
    1,750
    Location:
    Denver, CO
    Pay the $1000 for the aftermarket adapter and you should be fine. Buy it after you arrive so that it can be returned if it doesn't work with the Model Y for some reason. The adapter does work on earlier models apparently.
     
  11. Hash Browns

    Hash Browns Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2016
    Messages:
    51
    Location:
    Bay Area
    I would discourage sending your car to a market in which it wasn’t intended. On top of the charging concerns, there are different specs for lighting, reflectors, labels and instrumentation in EU vs US. Right now, we have no idea how much unique content exists for the EU Model Y vs US Model Y, which basically means it’s unclear how much extra work and $$ it would take to import a US spec car into EU.

    On top of this, as you point out, a US spec car will almost surely have a US-based SIM and data carrier agreement, so I’d expect no data once it gets to EU, which would stink. You might be able to swap the SIM to an EU carrier, but you’d need to pay for that data and I’d imagine it would disconnect you from Tesla’s fleet analytics and over the air software updates.

    Sorry, I know this isn’t great news. I spent 10 years in the automotive world and exporting cars is generally much more challenging and expensive than it seems. I would encourage you to wait a few months and get an EU spec car while you’re in Europe.
     
    • Like x 4
  12. jboy210

    jboy210 Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2016
    Messages:
    4,603
    Location:
    Northern California
    I also wonder about legalities. The EU rules have a restrictions on side G loads etc that are different than the US. This limited some of their AP functionality. And then there is the question about over the air updates. Can they send US spec software updates to a US VINed car in the EU? Can these send EU SW updates to a US VINed car? One fellow over in the X forums is facing all sorts of strange issues in Estonia with his X he brought in from another EU country

    For these an others, I agree with Hash Brown. Get a car there. And sell it before coming back to the states.
     
  13. Qbenjamin

    Qbenjamin Frugal But Classy!

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2017
    Messages:
    1,139
    Location:
    Braavos
    This has bad idea written all over it...
     
    • Like x 1
    • Disagree x 1
  14. MP3Mike

    MP3Mike Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2016
    Messages:
    14,925
    Location:
    Oregon
    Does it say they have to provide service overseas? The official warranty document says that you have to ship your car back into the coverage area, i.e. North America, before they will service it.

    From past experience with people that took their Model 3 to Europe you will get no updates even if you connect to WiFi. And I really wouldn't want to have a brand new model of Tesla early in its lifecycle without updates.
     
    • Like x 1
  15. Alex#$

    Alex#$ Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2020
    Messages:
    25
    Location:
    Fairbanks, AK
    Thanks for the input everyone. I've reached out to Tesla asking what they will and will not cover as far as warranty / service / updates etc. (haven't heard back yet).

    I've read that other military owners have shipped their cars to Korea, and after some deliberation with Tesla, were able to get LTE connectivity, updates and maps enabled for their cars in that country.

    I'm also considering the possibility of leasing a Model 3 (or Y if they are available) when I arrive in Germany, albeit I would rather make payments on a car I intend to actually own and keep.
     
    • Like x 1
  16. IchDochNicht

    IchDochNicht Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2016
    Messages:
    299
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    • Informative x 2
    • Like x 2
  17. Newscutter

    Newscutter Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2013
    Messages:
    864
    Location:
    Wexford, Pennsylvania, United States
    Reddit sent me here (thread on servicemember wanting to take an X to Stuttgart)-- here's what I told them, and I think it's good advice for you as well:

    There's no practical way to make a US-spec Tesla work there. Even if you could, you'd be switching it all back upon return the costs of all that are going to be way more than it's worth, even with depreciation. Start the selling process today if you want to be picky and hold out for best price. Not sure where you are located, but in my area people have received favorable purchase offers from Carvana.

    Unless things have changed drastically, you get ration coupons for gas in Germany. They're pretty generous amounts, IIRC and you'll have plenty for sightseeing-- especially if you just hop the trains for longer trips (highly recommended). But my point is, get a gas car. The best parts of Europe are AWAY from the beaten path and you want the ultimate flexibility to GO OUT and EXPLORE. That's gonna be a gas car there, just like it still is here. In the Stuttgart area, I'd look for (duh) Mercedes and Porsche second hand from factory employees. They get sweet deals on new cars and turn them over with regularity, resulting in softer prices regionally. There's also a lot of business cars turned over for the same reason-- my runaround was a German exec's '79 BMW 728 that I adored (bought in 1989), long legs on the Autobahn and a very flickable tail, especially on wet cobblestones.

    Another route to go if you have a sponsor (that used to be a thing, anyway) is to start getting listings from Americans selling Euro-spec cars as they prepare to return to the US. You can get some really nice newish cars at discount prices this way.... you can also get some solid older cars, but be wary as some have been passed around like whores and electrical gremlins multiply every time.

    Anyway-- that's more than you asked -- but sell the Y. This is the way.
     
    • Disagree x 1
  18. slainla

    slainla Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2018
    Messages:
    110
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    I wouldn’t count on Tesla servicing the vehicle even if they’re required by law.
     
    • Funny x 1
  19. merrami

    merrami New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2021
    Messages:
    1
    Location:
    Richardson TX United States
    I found this article. Quite interesting.

    You will run into glitches but I think it's doable. You would have to mainly use ChaDeMO for fast charging and the speeds are not bad at all (see the article above).
    Considering the cost of Tesla cars in Europe it might make sense to suffer the glitches. To each his opinion on the matter though.


    Full link if doesn't work: Moving with your Tesla Model 3 from the U.S. to Europe? Here’s how.
     
    • Like x 1
  20. krcossin

    krcossin Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2020
    Messages:
    43
    Location:
    Detroit burbs
    First, Alex#$ thank you for your service sir.

    Second, my daughter got orders to Germany in 2020 and she shipped her 2016 Volt. She is able to charge from home now that I bought her a new connector from Clipper Creek. But other then that she has not found charging available.
    The ECS-20 sells for $549, comes with the SAE J1772 connector, 3 year warranty, and it is ETL-EU, CE certified.
    I know these are different vehicles with different connectors, however please note the Volt is able to use petrol, and obviously the Y is very dependent on the network, I do not recommend taking delivery in US, wait for Berlin to deliver for 6 months, then take delivery there.
     

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC