Introduction
After years of anticipation, Tesla has finally started delivering its highly anticipated Cybertruck. However, European Tesla fans will have to wait a bit longer as the electric truck is currently unavailable in Europe. Despite the European Union being a significant manufacturing hub and a key market for Tesla, there are several reasons why the Cybertruck is unlikely to be sold across the Atlantic anytime soon.
Weight Worries
One of the primary reasons the Cybertruck faces obstacles in Europe is its weight. According to documents submitted to US regulators, the minimum gross vehicle weight range of the Cybertruck is between 8,001 to 9,001 pounds, or 4 to 4.5 tons. This weight could pose a problem for Tesla if they wanted to sell the pickup in Europe in its current form. Pedro Pacheco, Vice President of Research at Gartner, explains that the high gross vehicle weight would likely require drivers to have a category C1 license, specifically for vehicles heavier than 3.5 tons. This means that European drivers may need to apply for a truck driver's license to drive the US-built Cybertruck on European roads.
Charging Compatibility
Another obstacle for the Cybertruck in Europe is its charging port compatibility. The charging ports on the Cybertrucks produced in the US are designed to work with the Tesla NAC standard, which is widely adopted in the US. However, most European nations use the CCS network for charging electric vehicles. To ensure that a European version of the Cybertruck can drive on European roads, Tesla would need to make adjustments, including making their charging technology compatible with CCS. Additionally, reducing the weight of the Cybertruck may also be necessary.
Market Demand
Apart from the technical challenges, Tesla may also consider the market demand for hulking pickups like the Cybertruck in Europe. According to Pacheco, the market adoption of pickup trucks in Europe is relatively small compared to the US market. Pickup trucks are not as common in Europe, and there is not a significant market for vehicles like the Cybertruck.
Production Challenges
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously mentioned the possibility of producing a smaller version of the Cybertruck for the European market. However, there have been no recent updates on this plan, and Pacheco suggests that the small size of the European market may be a factor in Tesla's lack of interest. Moreover, Tesla is currently facing challenges in meeting the demand for the Cybertruck in North America. The company stopped taking orders for the electric pickup outside the US due to overwhelming demand. Musk has acknowledged the difficulties in scaling up production and meeting the more than 2 million preorders for the Cybertruck.
Conclusion
While the Cybertruck has finally made its debut in the US, European Tesla fans will have to wait longer before they can get their hands on one. The weight, charging compatibility, and market demand for hulking pickups like the Cybertruck pose significant challenges for Tesla in bringing the electric truck to Europe. Additionally, Tesla's focus is currently on meeting the demand for the Cybertruck in North America. As of now, it seems unlikely that the Cybertruck will be available in Europe anytime soon.—————————————————————————————————————————————
By: tcarter@insider.com (Tom Carter)
Title: All the Reasons Why Elon Musk’s Cybertruck Won’t Be Coming to Europe Anytime Soon
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/cybertruck-elon-musk-tesla-not-sold-europe-anytime-soon-2023-12
Published Date: Sat, 02 Dec 2023 10:12:01 +0000
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