Tesla Refunds Cybertruck Deposits After Scrapping Right-Hand Drive Production

Tesla is refunding $2,000 reservation deposits to customers in Australia and New Zealand after deciding not to sell the Cybertruck in those markets.

The company confirmed the change in an email to reservation holders who placed orders in 2019. The message states that Tesla's plans to produce the Cybertruck for the two countries have been discontinued. Because the automaker can no longer fulfill these orders, it will process refunds within 30 days of customers receiving a confirmation email. Tesla is also offering a free year of Full Self-Driving access to anyone who orders a new Model 3 or Model Y.

The decision resolves a long-standing uncertainty regarding the vehicle's availability in right-hand drive regions. Drive Australia noted that questions about the Cybertruck's arrival in Australia persisted for years. When early deliveries began in 2023, sources indicated that the Texas factory was not configured to build the truck with right-hand steering. This manufacturing limitation prevents the vehicle from being legally driven on public roads in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Ireland.

The absence of a right-hand drive version also impacts potential sales in the United Kingdom and the European Union, where Tesla has not officially launched the model. The vehicle has not received regulatory approval from European authorities. Officials believe the truck will face difficulties passing rules on crumple zones, pedestrian safety, lighting, and weight classifications. The sharp edges of the stainless-steel body are considered a specific hazard to pedestrians.

The US Army Customs Agency highlighted these issues in a recent notification. The agency stated that several specifications, particularly the stiff stainless-steel body, violate EU safety standards for protecting vulnerable road users. Cybertrucks spotted in Europe have entered the region through individual single-vehicle approvals. Owners secured these permits by modifying the trucks to satisfy specific regulatory requirements.