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US Made Tesla in Portugal

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Jnohymn
  6/8/2021 16:36 EST

Hi,

Has anyone transported a US made Tesla Model X to Portugal? If so, are you able to use Tesla Superchargers? Able to charge from wall socket (I'm okay with slow charging). And are you able to schedule service with Tesla Service Center in Lisbon or Porto?

I am asking because EU Teslas use 3 wire charging while US uses one wire. There is a CHAdeMO adapter for 3rd party charging, but that can be overpriced.

OrangeHBCA
  6/9/2021 11:57 EST

So many reasons not to (unfortunately). Lots of discussions over on Reddit about this, but the main reasons seem to be:

1. Parts and servicing are different between the continents. Parts specifically will likely be an issue.

2. Charging standards are different.

3. Brake lights don’t match European standards (orange turn indicators, for example). There may be other parts that would need to be swapped out to tailor to European specs.

4. Cellular service (maps, music, etc.) is tied to US/North America.

This is what I’ve gleaned from the Reddit boards and most say just sell your car here (Carvana, etc.) and then use the proceeds in Europe. One additional caveat is that the roads in many of Portugal’s older parts are EXTREMELY narrow and you may find the Tesla too wide to navigate them.

Certainly not an expert and I encourage you to research more. As a Tesla owner myself it’s disappointing, but with the used car market so hot in the US right now, you may be able to get a nice price here.

Good luck!

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tspring0204
  6/9/2021 13:32 EST

While l can't comment on the advice about shipping versus buying here, I wouldn't worry about navigating the narrow streets. We are Americans living in Tomar, a smallish town in Central Portugal, and we see a few Teslas on the street here, and it seems like there are more all the time. We have lived in Portugal four years, and currently drive an older "Mono-volume". It's what we would call a minivan in the US. While I have kind of held my breath a time or two looking for restaurants in the older part of Lisbon, I have not yet had to back out of a street because it got too narrow. There are lots of full size Mercedes, BMWs, and Volvos on the road here. I think your Tesla would fit in just fine.

Wallvestor
  6/9/2021 14:07 EST

Insurance will be an issue as well, as it will be termed an import for 2 years. After 2 yrs you can get normal/typical insurance.

I would not bring it.

klingsmithj
  6/9/2021 14:22 EST

Another small item, bring a car from the US it will have to meet pollution and safety standards for EU. which are different than the US. Thus you will more than like need to have work done and then you will need to have all the vehicles paperwork in Portuguese including all technical information which is NOT with the title.

..

OrangeHBCA
  6/9/2021 15:27 EST

I might expand my comment a bit to say it may just be too much hassle to import your US Tesla given the very high resale value for used cars (especially Teslas!) in the US and the hoops to go through to import it.

Maybe you could price out a new Tesla in Portugal and see what you might get for your current model in the US. (Carvana’s site is good for this.)

I love my Tesla, but if the price difference wasn’t too great, I’d just sell mine and buy a local model. My 2¢, but again, good luck to you! Either way, I hope you land in Portugal w/ a Tesla - one way or another!

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AnchorLess provides services to help you settle into your new life in Portugal. you are guaranteed to have access to a convenient, quick and reliable service, with a team always ready to answer all of your questions about your new adventure.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

AnchorLessAnchorLess

AnchorLess provides services to help you settle into your new life in Portugal. you are guaranteed to have access to a convenient, quick and reliable service, with a team always ready to answer all of your questions about your new adventure.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Jnohymn
  6/9/2021 18:04 EST

Hey OrangeHBCA,

Your comments are much appreciated. Looks like I'll have to sell before going -- presuming I get the visa ....

Best Regards

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