The first Tesla Cybertruck has gone on sale in the UK – although drivers still have no idea if it will be road-legal here.
A 2024 silver import version of the futuristic vehicle is on sale on Autotrader for £145,995 – making it the first version to be offered to UK buyers.
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This means they can enjoy armored glass and a faster 0-60mph time than a McLaren or Lamborghini.
But experts say Elon Musk’s electric car could fail British safety regulations because of its angular design – and heavy weight.
The description of the truck on Autotrader says: “Discover the future of driving with the Tesla Cybertruck, Unleash the power of innovation with the all-new Tesla Cybertruck.
“Designed to challenge expectations and redefine what a truck can be, the Cybertruck combines futuristic aesthetics with unmatched performance.
“Robust design, state-of-the-art technology, exoskeleton: Crafted from ultra-strong 30X cold-rolled stainless steel, the Cybertruck’s nearly impenetrable exoskeleton offers maximum occupant durability and protection.
“Armor Glass: Tesla Armor Glass is ultra-tough, designed to absorb and redirect impact force for unparalleled protection.
“Uncompromising performance, power: Accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds with a range of up to 500 miles.
“Whether it’s a job site or the desert, the Cybertruck’s three-motor AWD delivers top-level performance on and off-road.”
UK regulations state that the front of a vehicle must be designed to protect pedestrians in the event of a crash.
This means cars must have crumple zones no more than 3.05 meters beyond the front axle and must not be sharp or angular with protruding parts that could cause injury.
However, there are fears that the Cybertruck’s front end is too sharp to meet current regulations and could crush pedestrians in the event of a crash.
The bulk of the pickup would mean the Department for Transport would classify it as a light goods vehicle (LGV) – which owners need to get a category C1 driving licence.
The C1 license applies to vehicles with a maximum gross weight of over 3.5 tonnes – with data suggesting the Cybertruck comes in somewhere between 3.6 and 4.5 tonnes.
A spokesman for car rental provider Stable Vehicle Contracts previously said it was unlikely to ever be commercially released by Tesla in the UK – meaning drivers looking to own one will have to import it privately.
The cybertruck is being sold by Leicester-based global car dealer Auto Export via the Autotrader website.
Co-owner Imran Adam, 45, said the firm had around half a dozen of the vehicles currently in the UAE – and buyers could have one on UK soil in just three weeks.
He said: “We are about 70 or 80 per cent confident that we will get approval from the DVLA that the cyber truck can be driven on the roads of this country.
“It’s just a case of waiting for a decision now. They haven’t said no so far, so that’s a good sign.
“I understand that Tesla is working hard behind the scenes on some modifications that would make it suitable here, because right now the angular design may not pass our safety rules as it currently stands.
“If you get the thumbs up, then we’ll look at another issue, which is weight, and see how we can work with the government on that.
“But we don’t want to run before we can walk.
“If the government says it’s OK, we can have the vehicles in the UK for 20 days. It’s very exciting.
“There is massive interest in the cyber truck among drivers in the UK, and we’ve had dozens of calls about it.
“It’s an amazing machine – it’s completely unrecognizable from any other machine of the 20th or 21st century, and a lot of people are very curious.”
Imran added that potential buyers can place an order now – but won’t be expected to pay until the cybertruck is cleared for use here.
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