European safety groups argue that the Cybertruck’s weight, shape, size, and performance raise safety concerns for the individually imported examples
October 9, 2024 at 15:08
- An imported Tesla Cybertruck has been registered for road use in the Czech Republic.
- Campaigners say that it should be removed from the streets due to its weight and size.
- Large American vehicles often exploit individual approval loopholes in the EU.
One of the first Tesla Cybertruck imported from the US to Europe has been approved for road use in the Czech Republic. However, safety groups aren’t convinced. Despite the required modifications, they sent a letter to the local government expressing serious concerns about the electric truck’s shape, weight, and size. Apparently, they believe that having a vehicle shaped like a giant, unyielding wedge might not be the safest choice on the roads.
To gain approval as a privately imported vehicle, the Cybertruck’s infamous sharp edges were reluctantly dressed with rubber moldings, an attempt to make it slightly less dangerous for pedestrians—though one wonders if anyone actually feels safer. Additionally, the LED headlights and taillights were tweaked with yellow indicators to align with European regulations.
More: Tesla Cybertruck’s ‘Guillotine’ Panels Can Chop Off Carrots, But What About Your Fingers?
According to the owner’s post on X (ex-Twitter), the EV was registered on July 12 after what he called a “difficult journey.” But the real difficulty may just be beginning, as seven safety organizations believe the Cybertruck never should have been allowed on Czech roads in the first place. They’ve highlighted irregularities in the approval process, suggesting it wasn’t quite the model of regulatory scrutiny one would hope for.
Irregularities in the Weight
The groups lodged a complaint with Martin Kupka, the Czech Republic’s Minister of Transport, and the European Commission, setting their sights on removing the Cybertruck from public roads. Their letter points out that the EV was registered with a maximum weight of 3.5 tons (7,716 pounds)—a figure that conveniently undercuts the 4,007-4,159 kg (8,834-9,169 pounds) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating listed in the owner’s manual.
🇨🇿Tak a je to, dneškem oficiálně máme registrovaný PRVNÍ CYBERTRUCK v ČR, byla to náročná cesta, ale zvládli jsme to a nyní už můžeme rozdávat radost i v Česku s tímto revolučním vozem
🇺🇸 So that’s it, today we have officially registered the FIRST CYBERTRUCK in the Czech… pic.twitter.com/CSKk0fR8cm
— CyberTruck.cz (@CybertruckEU) July 12, 2024
Campaigners argue that even at this seemingly deflated weight, the truck fails to meet regulations for the N1 category when fully loaded. European laws require heavy vehicles to be fitted with speed limiters, a rule that seems to have been overlooked in this case.
Pedestrian Safety
The letter doesn’t stop there. It highlights the truck’s enormous footprint, expansive blind spots, lack of crumple zones, and extreme acceleration, all of which they say pose a real danger to pedestrians and other road users. For these reasons, campaigners argue that the Tesla Cybertrucks currently on European roads should be de-registered and removed from public streets.
Among the signatories of the letter are the European Transport Safety Council, Eurocities, Clean Cities, Transport & Environment, POLIS – Cities and Regions for Transport Innovation, International Federation of Pedestrians, and the European Cyclists’ Federation.
A Tug-of-War Over Regulation
As The Guardian reports, the Czech Transport Ministry didn’t find the weight discrepancy to be much of an issue, dismissing it with the explanation that the registration was merely an “individual approval of a vehicle” within national boundaries. In other words, it’s not the EU’s problem—yet.
Meanwhile, the European Commission is a little less relaxed about it and has asked for “more information on national requirements and safety measures” to evaluate the registration. Looks like the Cybertruck isn’t in the clear just yet.
Interestingly, the European-registered Cybertruck has wasted no time hitting the roads across the continent, complete with its own website and social media accounts under the Cybertruck.cz name. It has already made appearances in several EU countries, including Slovakia, serving as a rolling advertisement adorned with various liveries and sponsor decals.
Safety experts have been vocal about their concerns regarding the Tesla Cybertruck’s pedestrian safety credentials. Even Tesla’s own chief engineer has publicly acknowledged the challenges of meeting European safety regulations with this particular design.
Yet, despite all the controversy, the Cybertruck is just one of many heavyweight imports from the US to Europe. Large trucks and SUVs regularly make the transatlantic journey, slipping through the cracks under the “individual vehicle approval” rule.
Whether this process is a loophole or a lenient nod from authorities seems to depend on just how eager local regulators are to welcome these American giants onto their streets. Europe may be waking up to the reality of sharing its roads with vehicles more suited for wide-open plains than cobbled city squares.
Feeling a bit off-roady today 📐 Check out our new website and feel free to contact us through https://t.co/yq6N3AGNK0 ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/hpxqkyIJ9G
— CyberTruck.cz (@CybertruckEU) June 24, 2024