He came, he saw, and he revolutionized the automotive market: Tesla CEO Elon Musk has proven all of his critics wrong. His strategy has been a complete success. After starting with a luxury model produced in small quantities, the company has continuously expanded and now offers mid-range sedans that are extremely popular among customers.

With its usual fanfare, Tesla announced its Cybertruck a few years ago. Now, the first vehicles of this type have been delivered in the USA. The pick-up truck stands out with its sharp edges and futuristic design – but for now, it will not be allowed on European roads.

Design Not Approved: Too Dangerous and Too Heavy This is due in part to the design itself. The sharp edges and lack of rounded corners make it too dangerous for other road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists. This is not allowed in Europe, as there are regulations that the current version of the Cybertruck does not meet.

Additionally, it is the technical specifications, with the weight being the biggest issue: At around 4 tons, the Tesla truck exceeds the European weight limit. With a regular Class B driver’s license, only vehicles up to 3.5 tons can be driven. This means that anyone who wants to drive a Cybertruck will need a truck driver’s license. For private individuals without a professional connection to the logistics or long-distance transportation industry, this may be a deterrent.

Different Automotive Market in Europe Another factor is the size of the vehicle, which at a length of 5.70 meters is too monstrous for European roads. Pick-up trucks on European roads are usually a size smaller compared to models in the USA. Additionally, the market is much larger there: In many parts of North America, vehicles have to cover long distances to get from point A to point B. Pick-up trucks are an extremely popular and widespread vehicle model in the United States and Canada, while in Europe, the roads are dominated by compact cars, sedans, and SUVs.

Furthermore, a different charging plug has become the standard in Europe compared to the USA. For approval, the European plug would have to be implemented, which is already installed in the Tesla models available here, but not yet intended for the Cybertruck.

Strong Demand from US Customers – Tesla Stock Doubles To bring this vehicle to European roads, Tesla would have to fundamentally change the design, reduce the weight, and revise the charging technology. It is doubtful that the company will take these steps considering the already low demand for pick-up trucks in Europe.

In the US, however, the market is booming. Allegedly, there have already been 1 million orders for the Cybertruck. Production, on the other hand, is slowly ramping up: Up to 250,000 vehicles are expected to be produced per year – starting in 2025. Just working through the current waiting lists is expected to take years.

At least, despite the flashy and controversial CEO, not only customers but also shareholders are impressed with Tesla: In the course of 2023, the value of the stock has doubled to nearly $250.