The Tesla Cybertruck is in Australia, but don’t go rushing to your nearest Tesla dealer to pick one up.
Earlier today, Tesla’s Australian division uploaded an image of the Cybertruck at Bondi Beach on its Instagram account, with the electric pickup parked next to the recently revealed Model 3 Performance.
The electric vehicle (EV) giant also posted a video of a Cybertruck driving around North Sydney, running special permit number plates as it is left-hand drive and can’t be registered for road use by the public.
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While sightings of the Cybertruck — such as these photos below, posted to the Tesla Owners Australia Facebook group by Kevin Ngo — demonstrate great interest from onlookers, the electric pickup is no closer to being sold Down Under.
As previously mentioned, the Cybertruck is exclusively built for left-hand drive markets, making it un-registrable in Australia and non-compliant with our local road rules.
Last year Tesla announced the heavily-updated Model S sedan and Model X SUVs, both of which had previously been sold in Australia, would no longer be made in right-hand drive, understood to be driven by low demand.
Another barrier to the Cybertruck’s local showroom debut is its controversial design, which experts have said would be unlikely to meet Australian Design Rules (ADRs).
Given the Cybertruck’s sharp, angular exterior design, it’s unlikely it would be approved for sale.
Tesla recently fell foul of ADRs with a facelift of its Model 3 sedan, having launched the updated car in Australia without an accessible middle top tether for the installation of a child seat in the second row.
This led to a stop-sale and recall.
Tesla previously allowed Australians to place a $150 deposit on a Cybertruck through its website, though the ability to do so was removed in late 2021 and replaced by a sole information page.
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled in the US earlier this week after it was discovered the electric pickup’s accelerator pedal cover could come loose and become stuck against the firewall, leading the vehicle to continue accelerating even when drivers lift off.
