Tesla ends Cybertruck sales in Australia and New Zealand, refunds 2019 deposits

Tesla is stopping all Cybertruck sales in Australia and New Zealand. The company is refunding every deposit made by customers who reserved the truck seven years ago.

In an email sent to reservation holders, Tesla stated that its plans to produce the vehicle for those two markets have been discontinued. The company will process refunds within 30 days of the customer receiving a confirmation email. To offset the change, Tesla is offering one year of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) access to anyone who orders a new Model 3 or Model Y.

The delay stems from a manufacturing limitation. According to Drive Australia, Tesla’s Texas factory was not equipped to build right-hand drive vehicles when the Cybertruck began delivery to early buyers in 2023. Without that configuration, the truck cannot legally drive on public roads in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan, or Ireland.

The right-hand drive issue has also complicated European approval. Tesla has not launched the Cybertruck in the European Union, and the vehicle lacks regulatory approval from European authorities. Rules regarding crumple zones, pedestrian safety, lighting, and weight classifications are widely seen as barriers. The truck’s sharp stainless-steel edges are considered a specific hazard to pedestrians.

The US Army Customs Agency noted that several specifications of the Cybertruck violate EU safety standards. The agency cited the sharp-edged body as a primary concern for the protection of vulnerable road users. Currently, the only Cybertrucks operating in Europe arrived through single-vehicle approvals. Owners modified their individual trucks to satisfy local regulators.

Tesla has not provided a timeline for a future right-hand drive model. The refund process begins immediately for those who received the notification email.