Tesla gets green light to import electric cars in Israel, launch is imminent

Tesla has been given the green light to import its electric cars into Israel, meaning a launch in the country is imminent.

Tesla in Israel

Tesla has been researching the Israeli car market for some time.

Last year we reported that Tesla is opening a service center and a charging station in Tel Aviv.

The carmaker has listed some positions for sale and service post in the city.

At the time, it was believed that the car manufacturer was ready to start taking orders for its electric vehicles in the market soon, but this did not happen.

Furthermore, last year there were local reports claiming that Tesla was opening an R&D office in Israel.

There is also nothing official from the effort.

Things start to move for Tesla in Israel

Now, a year later, we hear that Tesla has received an official license to import its vehicles into the country.

Globes, an Israeli newspaper, reports:

“The American manufacturer of electric cars, Tesla, will start in 2021 as an official importer of cars in Israel. Sources believe Globes that Tesla has received a license from the Ministry of Transport for commercial import of vehicles, which makes it possible to start a complete import industry without limiting the volume. Until now, Tesla has acted as a ‘small importer’ in Israel and has been able to import up to twenty vehicles, mainly for testing. This is the first time that a vehicle manufacturer has received a license for direct import and marketing of vehicles in Israel, rather than through a local dealer or in partnership with a dealer. ‘

With the new authorization, Tesla is expected to start taking orders in the country for deliveries later this year.

Tesla is expected to open orders for Model 3 first, which is expected to start with 250,000 Israeli new shekels (equivalent to ~ $ 78,000 USD) after tax and import taxes.

Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.