From Hype to Halt: Why Germany Said ‘Nein’ to Tesla’s Beast
Tesla marketed the Cybertruck as a “fortress” and “apocalypse-proof,” yet it has proved to be anything but that. The EV has been plagued with a series of recalls, and now it’s facing a brick wall as the U.S. Army Customs Agency has said that members of U.S. Forces are not allowed to import or register the Cybertruck in Germany or in the European Union (EU) as it failed to meet safety standards and attracts too much attention for U.S. Forces. Earlier, several European road-safety organizations raised safety concerns over the Cybertruck’s design. Let’s break down why it failed, and if it will even hurt Tesla in Europe.
Guillotine on Wheels? Europe Says Cybertruck is a Road Hazard
Bad news for Cybertruck fans in Europe, as the doors slammed shut for mass-market sales on the continent. Here are the three core EU safety commandments the Cybertruck violates.
The EU has flagged the Cybertruck’s design as a pedestrian safety hazard. The Cybertruck’s unique razor-sharp stainless-steel exoskeleton body panels minimize crumple zones, which means that it does not provide adequate energy absorption in a collision, posing a heightened risk to pedestrians.The Weight Problem: The Cybertruck’s mass and capacity pose serious legal challenges in Europe, primarily revolving around weight and vehicle classification. With a declared gross vehicle weight of approximately 4 tonnes, it surpasses the 3.5-tonne limit for a standard B-class driver’s license. This automatically subjects it to stricter rules, potentially requiring most owners to obtain a commercial C1 license and mandating the installation of a speed limiter.No EU-Approved Crash Safety Test: The Cybertruck is blocked from mass sale in Europe as it lacks mandatory EU Type Approval or public crash testing. This certification requires the vehicle to pass rigorous, public third-party crash tests under strict European standards, which focus on protecting pedestrians and other road users. By relying only on the US system of manufacturer self-certification, the Cybertruck fails to meet the EU’s core requirement for independent safety scrutiny.
How Does This Affect Tesla in Europe?
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Europe is one of the largest automobile markets in the world, and the Cybertruck ban slams the brakes on one of Tesla’s most hyped products ever entering the region. As the Model Y and Model 3 continue to dominate the EV sector, this could cost Tesla millions. Does the ban mean that the company might have to make a special version for Europe with rounder edges and less weight? Well, the jury is still out on that.
Will Customers Miss The Cybertruck?
According to chatter on forums like Reddit, not really. Europeans think that the Cybertruck is too big for cities and would be a parking nightmare in narrow streets. Based on Tesla sales, most buyers are happy with smaller cars. The ban hurts Tesla’s image more than anything, rather than its sales.
