Tesla has officially abandoned plans to launch the Cybertruck in Australia and New Zealand, disappointing customers who reserved the electric pickup nearly seven years ago.

In emails sent to reservation holders, the automaker confirmed that its plans to produce the vehicle for both markets have been discontinued. Tesla will refund customers’ deposits within 30 days of receiving an email confirming their details.

As compensation, the company is also offering customers one year of complimentary Full Self-Driving (Supervised) if they place an order for a new Model 3 or Model Y.

Right-Hand-Drive Challenges Behind the Decision

The Cybertruck’s arrival in Australia had been uncertain for years. Reports in 2023 indicated that Tesla’s factory in Texas was not configured to manufacture the vehicle in right-hand drive, a requirement for legal road use in Australia and New Zealand.

The same limitation affects other right-hand-drive markets, including the United Kingdom, Japan and Ireland.

Tesla has not officially launched the Cybertruck in the UK or the European Union either. The vehicle has yet to receive the necessary European regulatory approvals, and its design presents several potential obstacles to certification.

European Safety Rules Present Additional Obstacles

The Cybertruck’s angular stainless-steel body and sharp exterior edges have raised concerns about pedestrian safety and compliance with European vehicle regulations.

Other potential barriers include requirements governing crumple zones, lighting systems and vehicle weight classifications.

A notification from the US Army Customs Agency cited several Cybertruck specifications, particularly its rigid, sharp-edged stainless-steel construction, as conflicting with EU safety standards intended to protect vulnerable road users. Even the US Army encountered difficulties importing the vehicle into Europe.

Although cybertrucks have been spotted on European roads, some owners have reportedly obtained individual vehicle approvals after making sufficient modifications. These exceptions do not amount to general approval for the model across the region.

What Happens to Existing Reservations?

For customers who have waited years for the electric pickup, Tesla’s decision means their original orders will not be fulfilled in either Australia or New Zealand.

The company says it will return their deposits within the specified 30-day period. Customers who still want a Tesla vehicle can also take advantage of the company’s offer of a free year of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) with a new Model 3 or Model Y order.

The cancellation highlights the difficulties of bringing the Cybertruck to markets with different steering configurations and strict vehicle-safety regulations. For now, Tesla’s distinctive electric pickup remains unavailable as an official offering in Australia and New Zealand.