Despite its somewhat eccentric looks, the much-talked about Tesla Cybertruck has been getting a high number of orders since it was revealed. The last time Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed the order figure, it was more than 250,000. But the Cybertruck may not arrive in Europe after all even if there are orders from the Old Continent.

Words From An Expert

Stefan Teller, an automotive functional safety expert at SGS-TUV Saar GmbH told Spiegel Online, Tesla would find it impossible for the Cybertruck to be certified to be road-worthy -- or approved for sale -- in Europe for now, even though it is already being sold in the United States. As reported by Motor1, Teller said that the Cybertruck would have to first undergo heavy modifications before Tesla could start selling the much-criticized truck on the continent.

Teller noted that there is a big difference in certifications of vehicles between the US and Europe. In the US, carmakers could opt to have their vehicle offerings certified – only by themselves! In Europe, carmakers are still involved in the certification process. However, their words aren’t enough, as the process also includes the government and independent technical services.

Interestingly TUV -- where Teller works -- is regarded as a well-trusted independent technical service in Europe. Teller noted that vehicles need to pass between 50 and 60 regulations in Europe before they can be certified.

No Passive Safety?

In the US, the vehicle class in which Cybertruck belongs is exempted from several regulations pertaining to passive safety of occupants, Teller told Spiegel Online. But in Europe, regulators consider passive safety and pedestrian protection as very important.

For instance, the front end of a vehicle must not be too stiff to protect both occupants and pedestrians – it must be easily deformed to absorb impact energy during collisions. However, such deformation is not possible with the Cybertruck as it features highly rigid steel, Teller said. He noted that even airbags won't help absorb the impact energy.

Cybertruck’s Fate in Europe

As per Teller, the structure of the Tesla Cybertruck would have to be heavily modified before it can be approved in Europe. Until then, the Cybertruck would never reach the Old Continent. Elon Musk may need to do something about this an considerably more than just taking his arguments on Twitter and crashing his own Cybertruck into a traffic cone.

Sources: Motor1 and Spiegel Online