Tesla Cybertruck Banned And Seized By Police In The U.K.

The iconic Cybertruck was finally launched in the U.S. in 2019—after sizable delays—and has since generated a cult following.

 The controversial supposedly “bullet-proof” vehicle with the radical, edgy design, however, has generated intense debate outside of America.

Especially in the U.K. When British police pulled over and seized a Tesla Cybertruck near Manchester last month, as the driver did not possess the all-important “certificate of conformity,” it shone light on the vehicle’s serious safety shortcomings.

(FARNBOROUGH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Visitors take photos of a Tesla Cybertruck during the British Motor Show 2024 at Farnborough International Exhibition Centre on August 15, 2024 in Farnborough, England. (Photo by John Keeble/Getty Images)

The bottom line is that the vehicle is actually banned in the U.K., which means it cannot be legally driven on public roads as it does not meet the country’s safety standards in many ways.

This news is controversial, however, as the Tesla truck has only just recently earned a five-star rating from America’s traffic authority, NHTSA—the highest score available.

But all that means nothing in the U.K. The Brits see things very differently. Let’s now look into vehicle design where five fundamental Tesla engineering decisions—from the Cybertruck’s bespoke stainless steel surfaces to its sharp edges and heavy curb weight—clash with U.K. safety standards, rendering the truck illegal.

 In a social media post, Greater Manchester Police commented, “Whilst this may seem trivial to some, legitimate concerns exist around the safety of other road users or pedestrians if they were involved in a collision with the Cybertruck.”

Ref: Tesla Cybertruck Banned And Seized By Police In The U.K.