Tesla Refunds Australian and New Zealand Cybertruck Reservations

Tesla confirmed on October 23, 2026, that the Cybertruck will not be produced for sale in Australia or New Zealand. The company notified customers who reserved the vehicle in 2019 that their orders are being cancelled. This decision ends a long period of uncertainty regarding the truck's availability in right-hand drive markets.

In an email sent to affected reservation holders, Tesla stated that its plans to produce the Cybertruck for the two countries have been discontinued. Because the manufacturer can no longer fulfill orders in the region, it will refund every deposit within 30 days of the customer receiving a confirmation email. Each reservation holder will receive a $2,000 refund. As an additional gesture, Tesla is offering one year of free Full Self-Driving (Supervised) access to anyone who orders a new Model 3 or Model Y.

The delay stems from manufacturing constraints at Tesla's Texas factory. According to sources cited by Drive Australia, the plant was not equipped to build the vehicle with a steering wheel on the right side when deliveries began in 2023. This technical limitation prevented the truck from reaching the Australian and New Zealand markets, where right-hand drive is required for legal operation on public roads.

The lack of a right-hand drive version affects other nations as well. The Cybertruck cannot legally be driven on public roads in the United Kingdom, Japan, or Ireland. Tesla has also not officially launched the vehicle in the European Union. European regulatory authorities have not granted approval, a move widely attributed to strict rules regarding crumple zones, pedestrian safety, lighting, and weight classifications. The truck's sharp edges are considered a specific hazard to pedestrians.

The US Army Customs Agency recently highlighted these regulatory hurdles in a notification to military personnel. The agency noted that several specifications of the Cybertruck, particularly the stiff stainless-steel body with sharp edges, violate EU safety standards for protecting vulnerable road users. This assessment aligns with the concerns of civilian regulators in the region.

Despite the lack of official market entry, some Cybertrucks have appeared in Europe. Individual owners have secured single-vehicle approvals by making specific modifications to the trucks to satisfy local regulators. These private workarounds have allowed a small number of vehicles to operate legally despite the absence of a broader official launch.

Tesla has not announced new dates or alternative plans for the Australian and New Zealand markets. The refund process begins immediately for those who receive the confirmation email. Customers who wish to claim the Full Self-Driving credit must purchase a new Model 3 or Model Y. The company has not provided further details on whether it will revisit the right-hand drive production line in the future.