Can you buy a Tesla Cybertruck in Europe? Why it is not sold here, and the import question

The Cybertruck regularly turns up in European car-spotting videos, so it is easy to think you could just buy one. In reality, Tesla does not sell it in Europe, and importing one yourself is very difficult. Here is why.

Where it is sold

Tesla sells the Cybertruck in North America, South Korea and a growing list of Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Europe is not on the list, and Tesla has not announced a European version.

Why not in Europe

• Pedestrian protection: EU rules require a vehicle's front to limit injuries in a collision with a pedestrian. The Cybertruck's very stiff stainless-steel body and sharp edges make that hard to meet.
• Weight: the Cybertruck's maximum permitted weight is above 3,500 kg. In the EU, that means a standard car license (B) is not enough, and it falls into a different vehicle category with its own rules.
• No exemption: Germany's transport ministry refused requests for exemptions, saying the truck deviates too much from EU rules. Even the US Army said it cannot bring Cybertrucks to Europe for its personnel.

What about importing one?

Individual import approval is meant for vehicles that meet the safety rules but lack European paperwork. The Cybertruck's problems are in its basic design, so in practice it cannot be approved for EU roads. In the UK, authorities have seized Cybertrucks that were imported and driven illegally. Any seller offering a 'road-legal' import deserves a lot of skepticism.

Will it ever come?

Only with major changes to the design, or a new, different model. Musk has said Tesla might consider a more conventional truck in future, but nothing has been announced.

Alternatives

If you want a large electric vehicle with a lot of space and towing capacity in Europe, the Model X (used, now that production has ended) and the Model Y with a tow bar are the obvious Tesla options.