[fenders]

I have done plenty of research and seen posts on expat forums that suggest this would be an exercise in futility (cost, certification timeline, loss of US warranty, resale perception), but I keep coming back to the potential net savings of attempting this if we plan to keep an ID.4 a long time. Does anyone here have any first-hand experience or knowledge around the homologation/certification modifications and process that would be required for a 2021 vehicle sold concurrently in the US and France?

Between VAT, exchange rate and the $7500 US EV tax credit, the initial savings would be significant. I'm just wondering how to definitively identify the list of changes that would be required to certify a US ID.4 for French roadworthiness. One example - I've seen a comment on another make around needing to swap out windows, even though they were identical, because the required EU markings weren't stamped on them. Obviously if there are enough of these arbitrary changes required throughout the vehicle, the net savings would erode. And if an extended/international warranty (if available) were too expensive or limited, that would weigh into the cost/benefit as well.

While the top-spec EU models have features that I want such as HUD and matrix lights, I could live without them. Ultimately, if this re-reg pursuit still proves to be futile, we'll just wait and pick up a demo or CPO ID.4 once we move over there next summer, and I'd console myself by knowing I got some extra features. Just wondering if anyone here has ventured down this path before.

 

[Astros]

Don't do it. If nothing else, in France they use CCS2 charge connectors while in the US we have CCS1. You would not be able to charge the car anywhere.

 

[VW Dave]

It’s hard for me to see anything except a never ending series of problems headaches and expenses. Just get one over there and enjoy the heck out of it.

 

[Spin]

How much do you think you will save by purchasing one here? It seems like a lot of trouble but if the payoff is large it might be worth it.

 

[fenders]

Don't do it. If nothing else, in France they use CCS2 charge connectors while in the US we have CCS1. You would not be able to charge the car anywhere.

That's very helpful, thanks, and saves me from burning further calories on this. Not an area of the car I'd want to retrofit and probably not one that would ever get approved! I hadn't paid attention to charge port differences (whether for slow or fast charging) in all the US and EU review videos I've watched and had assumed I'd just need an EU cable for home charging.

 

[ChristophW]

Don't do it. If nothing else, in France they use CCS2 charge connectors while in the US we have CCS1. You would not be able to charge the car anywhere.

Not only that, but the AC charge port is also different, and perhaps even the charger electronics behind it too. Sounds like a very expensive proposition.

 

[fenders]

How much do you think you will save by purchasing one here? It seems like a lot of trouble but if the payoff is large it might be worth it.

At least $25k to start (including EV credit) but if the retrofits were either too expensive or impossible to get approved, that would be moot.

 

[Spin]

At least $25k to start (including EV credit) but if the retrofits were either too expensive or impossible to get approved, that would be moot.

Check with a dealer over there and get a quote. It might be worth it.

 

[fenders]

Not only that, but the AC charge port is also different, and perhaps even the charger electronics behind it too. Sounds like a very expensive proposition.

Very good point - I was curious as to whether a newer EV might have to jump through fewer hoops for certification than a PHEV or ICE car, but looks to not be the case.

 

[fenders]

This thread below showed up as recommended reading for me once I posted my initial question - it also had some helpful responses, including from folks who've chimed in here, so thanks, and I probably should have kept using the search tool!

US Spec vs EU Spec ID4

I currently have a an ID.4 on order, an AWD Pro model. There is a likelihood that I will be relocating to an EU country in a couple of years. The conventional wisdom is don't import your US spec vehicle to the EU, as the changes required and hassle involved make it not worth the effort...

www.vwidtalk.com

 

[ARob]

Not only that, but the AC charge port is also different, and perhaps even the charger electronics behind it too. Sounds like a very expensive proposition.

I believe the protocols are identical, just the port mapping. The Menekes plug (AC L2 charging) adds pins for neutral and third phase. 3 phase power is more common in certain regions, in US it is typically only found in commercial locations. So, for standard split phase charging, it should just be a remap of the physical ports. Control Pilot and Proximity sensor functionality is apparently identical.

For DC, the two lower pins appear to be the same spec, and PLC communication protocols I understand are the same in all regions, though there may be minor differences from one network to another. At least, that is what SETEC suggests with their Tesla CCS adapter.

So maybe it is simply a matter of an adapter that remaps the pins. I have seen J1772 <> Menekes adapters in internet searches, but not sure if anyone has put out CCS 1-2 adapters.

 

[ls99]

Asides from the Charger port issues Type 1 / Type 2 CCS... there will likely be "problems" to do with lighting, side-lights / fog lights etc ... and when it comes to insuring your vehicle in France, you have to declare any non-factory/manufacturer modifications - which will affect your insurance cost. You'll probably also find after all these modifications VW will no longer warrantee the vehicle.

I think the idea is a good one, but the practicalities of making this plan work are costly and time consuming.

Overall - I'm amazed/shocked at the significant price difference that exists between a car that is essentially the same - either in Europe/UK we're being over-charged, or car buyers in the US are getting a subsidised/bargain !

 

[gtwhitegold]

This is somewhat of a surprise to me. I purchased a new US model Ford Escape when I was working in Italy and I didn't even have to have it inspected for the first two years. I imagine that this was primarily due to being covered under a military status of forces agreement, but I thought that it would be simpler than that.

It sounds like what you could go through in Japan. Any vehicles imported to Japan have to be inspected before they can be registered and it costs around $3000 just to inspect the vehicle. That's not including any possible modifications that are required.

Even after that, my wife and I thought about possibly bringing our ID.4 to Japan, but the fact that we wouldn't be able to use any fast chargers there is probably a deal breaker.