The Tesla Cybertruck is banned from UK roads due to its failure to meet stringent safety standards.
Earlier this year, a Cybertruck was seized in Manchester, confirming that the ban is in effect. The UK’s safety regulations highlight several critical flaws in the vehicle’s design.
The Cybertruck’s excessive size and weight—6,898 pounds and 7.2 feet wide—pose significant risks on narrow UK roads. Its rapid acceleration (0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds) also raises concerns, with National Transportation Safety Board chairwoman Jennifer Homendy describing it as a ‘6,000-pound piece of steel that has no business going a quarter mile in under 11 seconds.’
To make matters worse, its rigid construction increases the risk of severe injuries in collisions. That’s because it doesn’t have the essential crumple zones to absorb impact. Additionally, the vehicle’s light bar and sharp edges also violate UK lighting and design regulations.
The Cybertruck ban, while unlikely to drastically affect overall EV adoption in the UK, could further impact Tesla’s declining European sales.
More importantly, it raises critical questions about whether EV manufacturers should prioritize safety over design and how they can navigate the complexities of diverse international safety standards.
