Authorities confiscated a Tesla Cybertruck in the UK for being illegal on local roads
The vehicle’s weight and those sharp edges make it a tough sell for getting approval in Europe anytime soon. You know, the Cybertruck is all over the roads in the US, but trying to bring one over here isn’t going smoothly.
This particular Cybertruck was modified, sporting a light bar and a cool “Cyberbeast” wrap. It got pulled over in Whitefield, near Manchester. The police found out it was registered and insured abroad, which is a big no-no in the UK.
Bury police even posted on X, saying the EV didn’t have a “certificate of conformity,” making it illegal to drive on public roads. They mentioned that while it might seem like a small issue, there are real safety concerns for pedestrians and other drivers if a Cybertruck were to get into an accident.
Since its launch in 2023, the Cybertruck has been a common sight in the US. It’s made its way to Mexico and Canada, but Europe is still waiting. The truck’s sharp edges have caused some injuries in the US, which likely violates EU and UK rules against vehicles with “sharp external projections.”
Plus, the Cybertruck is pretty heavy, weighing between 8,830 and 9,170 pounds. That’s over 4 tons! Most drivers in the UK and EU need a special license for vehicles over 7,700 pounds, so that’s another hurdle for fans wanting to import one.
A few modified Cybertrucks have made it to Europe, but campaign groups are pushing for a complete ban after one with rubber-padded edges was registered in the Czech Republic last year. Tesla hasn’t said anything about launching in the UK or EU, and there’s some doubt about how well it would do in Europe.
Tesla didn’t respond right away when asked for a comment. By the way, if you own a Cybertruck outside the US, the reporter would love to hear from you at tcarter@businessinsider.com.
