An electric or hybrid car from the USA: what you need to know
Electric and hybrid cars often cost much less at US auctions than in Europe. To make the purchase pay off, check the battery, the documents, the shipping terms and the charging connector before you bid.
Duty: 0% for US-built electric cars
From 1 July 2026, cars made in the USA, electric and hybrid cars included, pay 0% EU duty; cars made elsewhere pay 10%. For example, US-market Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are built in the USA. VAT of 21% is paid. How to check the origin: see A car from the USA without customs duty.
Battery and damage
- A hybrid or electric car with a "Flood" (submerged) title cannot be shipped by sea, so we cannot bid on such cars.
- If the battery or the underbody is damaged, the car may not be shippable or its repair may be very expensive: such cases are marked in the search and on the vehicle page.
- A damaged electric or hybrid car cannot be shipped from Hawaii.
- The history, mileage and earlier incidents are shown by a Carfax report (5 €).
Shipping
Because of the lithium batteries, electric and hybrid cars ship under the dangerous goods rules, so transport costs about 250 USD more. The vehicle page and the calculator include it automatically. Transit times are the same as for other cars: see Delivery.
Charging in Europe
Europe uses Type 2 and CCS2 connectors, while US cars have a J1772 (CCS1) or Tesla NACS connector. An adapter or a switch to the European connector solves this: ask about the cost for the specific model before you bid.
Registration in Lithuania
Like other cars from the USA, an electric car has to be adapted to EU requirements (usually the lights), pass a technical inspection and be registered with Regitra. The whole way step by step is on the After purchase page.
Where to find them
On the home page, the row "Electric and hybrid cars" shows selected auctions, and in the search you can choose the fuel type. Found a car? Send us the link: we will check the battery, the documents and the full price.