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Germany has decided not to approve the Tesla Cybertruck for road use. The electric pickup truck was found to violate EU safety standards when members of the US Army applied for a permit.
Tesla is gradually expanding the Cybertruck’s global availability, but the EV will remain off the roads in Germany due to local safety regulations. The US Army was recently informed it could not import the truck into the country.
The Cybertruck was flagged for “significant passive safety concerns,” which can be traced to its design. The EU deems the sharp, angular steel body a safety hazard to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, as well as the vehicle’s heavy curb weight.
EU regulators stipulate that vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tons must be equipped with speed limiters and not be designed with sharp edges. The Cybertruck clearly does not meet both requirements.
Despite the clear violations, some US service members based in Germany applied for a permit to operate the Cybertruck on public roads. The application is possible under an arrangement known as the USAREUUR-AF, which could enable non-EU-approved automobiles to be used in Europe.
However, the German Federal Ministry of Transport (FMoT) denied the request. The body concluded that the Cybertruck deviates far too much from legal requirements for an individual exemption to be issued. FMoT also stated that the truck would be highly noticeable in public due to its unusual appearance, defeating the purpose of USAREUR-AF exemptions.
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David Odejide – Tech Writer – 263 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024
Building on my first degree in Mechanical Engineering and a second degree in Environmental Management (Energy), I have carved a niche as a Content Strategist/Business Developer in the solar industry and writer on electric vehicles and renewables (solar, wind, onshore, offshore, etc.).
My articles have appeared in print, on media websites, and corporate blogs. I have produced hundreds of video scripts for popular YouTube channels on EVs and sustainability.
I will bring unique insights to trends and news from the EV and renewable energy industries, based on more than a decade of following and writing about them.
In my spare time, I manage one of the largest LinkedIn groups for wind energy professionals. I also like to get lost in Scotland’s natural beauty.
David Odejide, 2025-10- 1 (Update: 2025-10- 1)
