Tesla cancels Australian Cybertruck orders after seven year wait

Tesla will return $2,000 to every customer who reserved a Cybertruck for Australia or New Zealand. The company sent an email to these buyers stating that its plans to produce the vehicle for those markets have ended. This decision concludes a seven year wait for those who placed their deposits in 2019.

The email confirms that Tesla can no longer fulfill orders in the region. The company pledged to process all refunds within 30 days of customers receiving a confirmation message. To acknowledge the inconvenience, Tesla is offering one free year of Full Self-Driving access to anyone who subsequently orders a new Model 3 or Model Y.

The primary obstacle has been the vehicle's steering configuration. The Cybertruck is built exclusively with left hand drive at Tesla's Texas factory. Drive Australia reported in 2023 that the plant was not set up to build right hand drive versions. This limitation prevents the truck from being legally driven on public roads in right hand traffic countries.

This technical constraint affects more than just the Pacific region. Without a right hand drive option, the vehicle cannot be legally sold in the United Kingdom, Japan, or Ireland. Tesla has not officially launched the Cybertruck in the European Union either. The vehicle currently lacks regulatory approval from European authorities.

Regulators in Europe have expressed specific concerns about the truck's design. The US Army Customs Agency noted that the sharp edged, stiff stainless steel body violates EU safety standards. These rules focus on protecting vulnerable road users. The truck's sharp edges are viewed as a particular hazard if it strikes a pedestrian.

A small number of Cybertrucks have appeared in Europe through individual exemptions. Owners secured single vehicle approvals by making extensive modifications to satisfy local regulators. These cases are exceptions rather than a standard pathway for mass market sales.

Tesla did not provide a detailed timeline for when it might reconsider the market in the future. The company's decision to discontinue the project is final for current reservation holders. The refund process begins immediately following the delivery of the confirmation email.