Anyone driving around Zaventem or Brussels Airport these days had better watch out, because from now on, you might spot the now-infamous Tesla police car from the local police zone appearing in your rearview mirror.
Or how, after more than six years of inactivity, the car can finally be put into service – a textbook example of how a relatively simple purchase can turn into years of administrative and legal red-tapeism.
Paperwork not in order
In late August 2018, the Zaventem police triumphantly announced that, in line with the municipality’s commitment to an environmentally friendly policy, the police district had opted for 100% EVs – specifically two Tesla Model S cars, a first for the Belgian police. But the story took a different turn…
The police had purchased these two Teslas through a European tender from a Dutch dealership. It was the lowest bidder but did not deliver the cars until much later, after lawyers got involved.
When the cars were finally delivered, crucial documents required for registration in Belgium were missing. In June 2022, the paperwork for one Tesla was in order – but not for the second one.
A whole saga
It turned out that the missing registration document was in the possession of a Dutch leasing company: the seller had also sold that same Tesla to that firm. And the Dutch garage subsequently went bankrupt, further complicating the matter.
Once the paperwork for that car was finally in order after a lot of administrative red tape, the car also had to go to the garage for repairs. The Tesla needed a second circuit for the siren and had to be fitted with additional trunk storage.
Twice the original price
The Tesla in question cost €82,000, but the total cost had since risen to around €160,000 – in addition to the purchase price, there were another 40,000 euros in legal fees, a settlement agreement, and another €18,000 in VAT because the car was still registered in the Netherlands.
But now it is finally ready for service. According to VRT News, if the final inspection is successful, the vehicle can be put into service as early as the end of the week.
And Zaventem will have another local legend to add to its list.
