Tesla is increasing the cost of its vehicles in France, as outlined below.
🚗 Tesla's Tumble: The electric vehicle giant, owned by the enigmatic billionaire Elon Musk, is grappling with a worldwide drop in sales numbers, including France – where Tesla registrations have plummeted a whopping 44% this year, with just 7,556 vehicles sold as of 2025. Adding salt to the wound, the recent May 1 price hike by approximately 330 euros on all Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles in France, though temporary, is hardly helping turn the tide.
🎟️ Extra Charge for Registration Cards: The driving force behind this price increase is the incorporation of the cost for the registration card, which traditionally exempted low-emission vehicles (electric, hydrogen, or hybrid) from regional tax. But times have changed. Since early May, most French regions have ended this exemption, resulting in the registration card cost being passed on to Tesla buyers – with the exception of the Hauts-de-France region offering free registration cards, and others like Brittany imposing a cap of 60 euros per horsepower.
🌐 One Region Welcomes EV Owners with Open Arms 🎉 Despite this challenging backdrop, a glimmer of hope comes from the Hauts-de-France region, which maintains the free registration cards for electric vehicle owners – a detail worth noting for any EV enthusiasts looking to save a few bucks on the registration fee.
🕒 Change on the Horizon? Tesla Says "Soon" ⏳ Nevertheless, Tesla promises that the current system is only short-term, with a "dynamic price adjustment" planned to align the registration card fee with the buyer's regional cost – though a specific date for this update on the configurator remains undisclosed for now.
💰 Our Secret Weapon: Car Insurance Comparison Tool 🔎 In light of the evolving electric vehicle landscape, it never hurts to arm yourself with useful tools to save on related expenses. Don't forget to check out our car insurance comparator to find the best deals for your EV.
- Tesla sales in France have fallen significantly, with a reported drop of 44% in vehicle registrations as of 2025.
- The increase in prices for all Tesla models due to the new registration card costs has been temporary but hasn't significantly improved sales numbers.
- The cost of the registration card for electric, hydrogen, or hybrid vehicles has been passed on to buyers in most French regions, with the exception of Hauts-de-France offering free cards and Brittany capping the fee at 60 euros per horsepower.
- Tesla has promised a "dynamic price adjustment" in the future, aiming to align the registration card fee with the buyer's regional cost, though no specific date has been announced.
- To save on related expenses, it's recommended to use a car insurance comparison tool to find the best deals for electric vehicles.
