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Will US Tesla work in Europe?

Discussion in 'Europe -' started by CWT4th, Jan 25, 2019.

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Will a US purchased Tesla work in Europe if shipped there?

  1. Yes

    50.0%
  2. No

    35.2%
  3. Not sure

    14.8%
  1. Galve2000

    Galve2000 Active Member

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    What kind of charging speeds are you getting on a NA-spec Tesla from a type 2 charger? is it limited to 3.68 kW (230 V x 16 Amps) because its single phase? or can you get 7.36 kW (230 V x 32 Amps) out of these chargers. this is something i'm always confused about.

    in Greece most modern homes are 3 phase and provide max 16 amps (at a large fraction of 480 V) . since a NA spec car cannot "utilize" more than 1 phase, I fear I might be limited to 16 Amps instead of 32 at 230 V, which is roughly 12 miles/hr of range rather than 25. :(
     
  2. Candleflame

    Candleflame Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2015
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    Location:
    QLD, Australia
    US Model 3s can supercharge in europe with an adapter. There are few imports which get driven -i .e. nextmoves model 3.
    You just need a type 1 to type 2 adapter for normal charging and a CSS adapter which apparently some guy in Austria makes.

    Navigation can be patched in by Tesla if you ask them nicely. They have a US FORCES software which gives you european maps.
     
  3. Paulteamblue

    Paulteamblue Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2019
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    Location:
    Northern California
    Sorry to jump on this thread. I own a Model 3 which I love. I am planning to retire to Portugal in six months, and I would like to take my car with me. It's primarily financial, my car cost be about $30k, and a Model 3 in Portugal cost US $60k. My question is: is there any service in Europe who can convert my car to EU standard so it will charge easily?
     
  4. Candleflame

    Candleflame Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    QLD, Australia
    Sell your car and buy yourself a second hand Model 3 in Europe. It's not worth it and remember that ownership is also a lot more expensive in Europe. you may also have to pay important tax etc.

    Bare in mind that you will have to tear your tint off (maybe portugal does allow some tint but it wont be as low as the usa one) and you have to get your tail lights converted and the car needs to be inspected before it can be used - all which costs money.

    For charging you just need a type 1 to type 2 adapter and as far as I know theres somewhere you can buy a custom adapter to charge via CCS. Maybe ask the guys from the nextmove youtube channel, they have an american model 3.

    You won't get any maps. Tesla used to provide a temporary EU software for military but afaik more recently they have refused and I dont know if they offer this service at all to normal people - bit weird but it is how it is.
     
  5. Paulteamblue

    Paulteamblue Member

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    Northern California
    my car is worth $30,000 in the US. I don't mind paying for some tail lights and a CCS port. A new Model 3 in Portugal will cost €48,000. So seriously, if I can get the charge port and tail lights converted for $10,000 I will be happy. I plan to keep this car for five years. I think the map thing taken care of.
     
  6. Candleflame

    Candleflame Active Member

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    Jesus Portugal IS quite pricey.... I think I payed like 54k for my stealth performance in australia and that includes the much hated luxury car tax and NO incentives here.

    That said,
    Keep in mind that the 48k is driveaway (sales tax etc is all included in euroe) but does not include any grants (portugal is a bit meh but you get like 3k from the EU so its 45k)
    And if your car is worth 25k euros then you will also have to pay around 3k euros to ship it over to europe and if tesla is happy to convert the car you then have to spend another i.e. 5k euros at least.

    Your car will basically be worthless when you sell it in 4 years but the new SR+ european model 3 will still sell for like 30-35k depending on how well you look after it.

    This is all assuming that Tesla is happy to do a conversion for you with european maps and taillights.

    It just doesnt quite make economical sense, in particular because you get a NEW SR+, not a second hand one which will be considerably cheaper. Moreover, given that you are american and probably travel a bit you could buy a second hand SR+ i.e. in Germany where they are cheaper and drive it over to portugal and re-register it there which is reasonably straight forward.
     
  7. Paulteamblue

    Paulteamblue Member

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    Location:
    Northern California
    I was also thinking after a couple of years I could either A) spend $3,000 to ship my car to NY and trade it in to Tesla, or B) sell it for a reasonable price gray market to a nice guy from Eastern Europe for unmarked bills....
     
  8. Candleflame

    Candleflame Active Member

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    thats not that easy.
     
  9. Candleflame

    Candleflame Active Member

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    Location:
    QLD, Australia

    you are not getting 480V from 3 phase. The 480V just describes the voltage between phases which is irrelevant for (i think) anything but rotational work i.e. motor.. what matters is the speed at which the electrons get pumped into your car and thats 230V in europe. 3 phase just saves copper because you can make the individual cables thinner and only need 1 neutral and ground for however many cables you want at the cost of the phases having to be balanced.

    European spec teslas can charge either 1 phase 230V x 32A or 3 phase 230V x 16A.
    USA spec teslas can charge at 1 phase 110V x 64A. But remember that the charger can handle anything up to 260V so USA pseudo 2 phase 220V x 48A is also possible.

    In the australian outback I have seen up to 252V. So thats pretty sick because at 16A three phase the car will charge at 12.5kw.
     

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