Cybertruck Exit: Tesla Refunds 2019 ANZ Deposits

Tesla is sending refunds to customers in Australia and New Zealand who reserved Cybertrucks in 2019. The electric truck maker confirmed on Thursday that it will not build the vehicle for these two markets. The decision ends a seven-year wait for buyers who paid $2,000 deposits to secure their spots.

The company will return every dollar of the original deposit within 30 days of the customer receiving a confirmation email. Tesla is also offering a free year of Full Self-Driving access to anyone who orders a new Model 3 or Model Y. This perk applies to customers affected by the cancellation.

The root of the problem lies in the vehicle's design. Tesla’s Texas factory was not configured to manufacture right-hand-drive trucks when deliveries began in 2023. Without that configuration, the Cybertruck cannot legally operate on public roads in Australia or New Zealand. The same limitation blocks sales in the United Kingdom, Japan, and Ireland.

Regulatory hurdles in Europe have compounded the issue. The truck has not received official approval from European authorities. Officials have cited the vehicle's sharp edges as a primary hazard for pedestrians. The US Army Customs Agency noted that the stiff stainless-steel body violates safety standards designed to protect vulnerable road users. These specific violations prevent standard importation.

Some Cybertrucks are already in Europe through individual workarounds. Owners have modified their vehicles to meet local requirements. They secured single-vehicle approvals by altering the trucks to satisfy regulators. This process allows a specific truck to be driven but does not enable a mass market launch.

Drive Australia reported that sources indicated the production gap existed as early as 2023. The publication noted that the Texas facility lacked the necessary setup for right-hand-drive assembly. That technical constraint has now forced Tesla to discontinue its plans for the region entirely.