The Cybertruck has had a difficult birth and subsequent few months since its launch. Now the Tesla truck has been banned in Europe, and not for the infamous self-driving technology either. The Cybertruck launched to a world of hype and speculation as to whether it would be allowed on European roads. While Europe tends to follow the trends of the United States, this is one that they certainly will not. The size and sharp edges that the Cybertruck have are fine in the US, but the Europeans have a very different view of Elon Musk’s new flagship car.
What seems to be the world’s problem with the Cybertruck?
The answer to that question will be different depending on where you’re talking about. Tesla has suffered tremendously from their CEO’s escapades into the American political arena. The effect of Musk’s actions have led to a huge drop in stock price and some Tesla dealerships in the US even being set on fire. Campaigns in the US to remove Tesla emblems from Tesla cars have made the news in recent months too.
While the world embraced Tesla’s earlier models, the Cybertruck faced a very different reality when it rolled off the production line. Musk’s role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency and the subsequent layoffs he implemented at federal institutions have led to disaster for his companies, especially Tesla and the Cybertruck. With that role coming to an end, the world has grown cautious of Musk and his need for attention.
Now Europe have some very different reasons for their reluctance towards the Cybertruck. Europe has much stricter regulations for their roads and the cars that are allowed on them. And the Cybertruck meets none of those regulations. When one considers the geographical size of Europe and the population density that they have to deal with, the regulations make more sense.
Why exactly have the Europeans banned the Tesla Cybertruck?
Well the answer to that is, where would you like to start and how much time you got? Lets start with the Cybertrucks immense size and weight. Cars that use battery packs or fuel cells are always heavier than their gasoline powered cousins. The Cybertruck is basically 3 tons and is capable of 0-60 in around 3 seconds. Nothing that heavy has any business going as fast as a super car, according to Britain’s National Transportation Safety Board chairwoman Jennifer Hominy.
Next on the list of problems is the sharp edges that define the design and look of the Cybertruck. Europe actually has regulations regarding how sharp the edges of a car can be. Naturally sharper edges pose more of a serious threat in a collision whether that be with another car or pedestrian. This despite the Cybertruck receiving a five star safety rating in the United States.
In July, a Cybertruck with an unladen weight of 3.025 tonnes was registered in the Czech Republic. That is way too heavy to meet the weight requirements for the type of vehicle classification that the Cybertruck falls into. Another issue is the width. Most European roads are about 3 meters wide, while the Cybertruck is 2.03 meters (or 79.9 inches) making it too wide for the roads of Europe.
Is this the end for Tesla and the Cybertruck in Europe?
Technically the Cybertruck is banned in most European countries. The world is beginning to imagine a reality without Tesla. A story emerged that in the U.K. a Cybertruck was seized after being spotted on the roads of Manchester. While the Czech driver customized his Cybertruck in an attempt to meet the EU’s regulations and failed. With Musk due to return his attention to Tesla and his other pursuits soon, one must ask what his solution to the Cybertruck crisis might be? Regardless, the Cybertruck will not find a home on European roads any time soon.
