Model 3 becomes a luxury vehicle
Tesla increases prices, environmental bonus decreases: That’s why the Model 3 now costs 8,000 euros more
The Tesla Model 3 has become more expensive in Germany.
© Max Wiesmuller
In Germany, the prices for the Tesla Model 3 have risen. But this is not the only reason why it will be more expensive for buyers – because the environmental bonus for the car has fallen as a result of the new price.
The Model 3 now costs at least 49,990 euros. Tesla only raised the prices for the smallest model in the USA and China in mid-March, followed a little later by a price adjustment for Germany. But initially only for models with maximum range and the performance variant. The basic model was spared for a longer period of time, only experienced a serious price increase last weekend.
The list price of the entry-level model has increased by a total of 7,000 euros – around 17 percent. Interested parties who are planning to buy the vehicle will ultimately have to dig deeper into their pockets, because the new price is for the first time above the limit for the highest level of the environmental bonus, which the state only pays for cars whose net list price is less than 40,000 euros.
The environmental bonus for these vehicles is 9,000 euros, divided into a state share of 6,000 euros and a manufacturer share of 3,000 euros. With net list prices of 40,000 to 65,000 euros, the state only subsidizes vehicle purchases with 5,000 euros, while the manufacturer contributes 2,500 euros. This results in a deficit of 1500 euros for the Model 3 compared to the old prices.
The missing 500 euros from the manufacturer can be found in the purchase price at Tesla, the missing 1000 euros from the state are felt by buyers immediately, since the reimbursement after the purchase is simply lower. If you add up the effective additional costs, a Tesla Model 3 is now 8,000 euros – or 21 percent – more expensive.
In concrete terms, using the currently cheapest model as an example, this means that if you click on “Order” and select “Transfer” as the financing solution, Tesla calls up 50,970 euros – in the last order step, processing fees of 980 euros are inevitably added. The manufacturer’s share of the environmental bonus is already included, i.e. 2500 euros. After delivery of the car, another 5,000 euros can be requested from the state, so that the final total price for the smallest Model 3 is now 45,970 euros.
But even the environmental bonus of 5000 euros is anything but certain: Depending on the options selected, Tesla is currently indicating delivery in the coming year, for the car at a price of 49,990 euros it is currently “May 2023”. Due to an upcoming reorganization of the subsidy for electric cars and plug-in hybrids in the coming year, it could well happen that the bonus will even be reduced. Because the claim is based on the day of registration – not the date of purchase. If the Tesla does not come until 2023, other rules may apply.
Tesla did not give a specific reason for the enormous price increase. Mobility expert Max Wiesmüller, editor Future Moves, explains: “One can only speculate about the reasons. Delivery times are currently long, demand is very high and raw material prices are at record levels. In addition, Tesla probably knows that even after the sharp price increase, the Model 3 will remain competitive. The increase is annoying for customers, but logical.” The timing of the price increases falls exactly at the end of the quarter, when the manufacturer was able to shine with new record numbers (learn more here).