Tesla Resumes Model Y Deliveries in France After Long Bureaucratic Delay

Deliveries Unblocked After Administrative Roadblock

Tesla is finally resuming deliveries of its Model Y vehicles in France, following a long period of bureaucratic limbo. While Tesla’s sales had declined in the country earlier this year, the drop wasn’t solely due to market dynamics or Elon Musk’s decisions. A significant part of the delay stemmed from an administrative bottleneck that prevented thousands of vehicles from being delivered.

The deadlock ended with an official decree published on June 18, 2025, in France’s Journal Officiel. This decree officially authorized several versions of the electric SUV to qualify for the French eco-incentive scheme — commonly known as the ecological bonus.

Official Green Light for the Bonus

With the June 18 decree now in effect, two specific variants of the Tesla Model Y — the Propulsion (Standard Range) and Long Range versions — have been added to the list of vehicles eligible for the government’s ecological bonus. Each variant has different technical configurations, identified by reference codes such as 003YS5LRBHb3s5T3X and 003YS6MRBHb3s5T3X.

The crucial point is that Tesla vehicles manufactured at the company’s Berlin Gigafactory now meet France’s environmental score requirements. This certification is essential to unlock the bonus, which ranges between €2,000 and €4,000 depending on household income.

Thousands of Cars Stuck in Storage

Before this administrative approval, Tesla had been unable to deliver thousands of Model Y units despite the vehicles being physically ready and in storage across France. Customers were forced to wait, unable to receive their cars without the green light from authorities.

Some customers opted to waive the bonus entirely and sign disclaimers just to speed up delivery, but these cases were rare. Most chose to wait, hoping to secure the financial benefit tied to the eco-incentive.

Good and Bad News for Tesla Buyers

Now that the Model Y Propulsion is officially eligible for the bonus, Tesla can restart deliveries — but the delay has created a complex scenario. The first batches of the new Model Y, initially scheduled for delivery in May 2025, never reached customers on time due to prolonged calculations of the car’s environmental rating by Ademe, the French agency overseeing the bonus program.

The updated list published on June 19 finally clears the path for Tesla sales to resume in full force in France. With demand strong, the American automaker is expected to see a boost in registrations now that the bottleneck is resolved.

Bonus Amounts — And What’s Changing Soon

Both the Model Y Propulsion and Long Range versions are eligible for the bonus because their prices fall under the €47,000 cap. Depending on income level, buyers can receive between €2,000 and €4,000 in government aid — for now.

However, starting July 1, 2025, the bonus program is expected to undergo major changes. The current system, funded by the state, will be replaced by one financed entirely through energy savings certificates (CEE). Under this new structure, bonus amounts could increase, with projected payouts ranging from €3,100 to €4,200 — a welcome boost for future buyers.

This means early buyers might receive the older, smaller bonus, while those placing orders after July could benefit from the new scheme. Yet, the final implementation of this shift still requires confirmation from the French government.

Tesla Faces Administrative Catch-Up

The bureaucracy isn’t over for Tesla. Under a regulation from June 2, every ecological bonus request for new electric cars must now be pre-registered by the carmaker through a dedicated platform provided by France’s Agency for Services and Payments.

For cars ordered between December 2, 2024, and June 4, 2025, Tesla has until July 15 to submit the relevant paperwork. For vehicles ordered from June 5 onward, the deadline is 30 days from the order date.

This administrative workload could potentially delay deliveries further as Tesla rushes to meet these regulatory requirements for each transaction.

Conclusion: A Critical Moment for Tesla in France

While the administrative fog has lifted, Tesla still has significant work ahead to process paperwork and resume delivery operations at scale. However, the official approval of the Model Y for France’s ecological bonus marks a crucial turning point — both for the company and for thousands of French customers eager to finally get behind the wheel of their electric SUV.