UK Politician Calls for Confiscation of YouTuber's Cybertruck | Carscoops

      A leader of the Green Party has questioned why police permitted CarWow's Yanni Charalambous to operate his "illegal" Cybertruck on UK roads six hours ago.

      The UK politician has criticized the YouTuber’s Cybertruck, calling for action due to its lack of certification. As the vehicle is not roadworthy, residents in the UK are prohibited from driving it on public roads. Charalambous has been attempting to obtain a Certificate of Conformity for his Cybertruck.

      The Tesla Cybertruck has recently become a significant issue in British politics after one was seen driving around, even though it's not officially available in the UK or Europe. Currently, the electric truck is illegal to operate in the UK since it does not comply with local laws. If it does not meet those requirements, authorities could confiscate it; however, this has not deterred some individuals from attempting to use it.

      Caroline Russell, the Leader of the Green Party in the London Assembly, recently brought up the matter with Mayor Sadiq Khan after noticing Charalambous' Cybertruck (which you might recognize him from Matt Watson’s CarWow channel). This discussion follows the seizure of another Cybertruck earlier this year for breaching UK road safety laws.

      A Routine Stop Turns into a Legal Inquiry

      As reported by Forbes, Russell inquired why the Metropolitan Police had not confiscated Charalambous' vehicle following a routine stop that was documented in one of Yanni’s YouTube videos. She contended that the absence of a Certificate of Conformity means the vehicle cannot be legally insured.

      “It’s concerning that Metropolitan officers did not detain a Tesla Cybertruck on the streets of London, seemingly unaware that the vehicle is not road legal in the UK,” Russell remarked. “It’s quite alarming that such a formidable vehicle, created with no regard for pedestrian safety, could navigate our city streets. This oversight is not only disappointing, but it could also have dire consequences.”

      The Mayor's Response

      In reaction to the political concerns, London's Mayor issued a statement informing that the Metropolitan Police had analyzed the YouTube footage:

      “The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) reviewed the YouTube video, which appears to show an officer stopping the vehicle under section 163 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to verify the driver’s documentation before allowing them to continue. The MPS Roads Policing Unit will investigate the driver’s details, examine the vehicle, and confiscate it from public property if necessary.”

      This implies that Charalambous's Cybertruck could still be seized, although officers will first verify whether the “vehicle has been modified to comply with England and Wales legislation” before proceeding.

      What’s the Status of Yanni’s Cybertruck?

      Yanni has been attempting to make his Cybertruck compliant with UK regulations for several months. He has posted a series of YouTube videos showcasing modifications to the vehicle, including rubber moldings for its sharp edges, yellow indicators, and rear fog lights. Nevertheless, these alterations have yet to secure him a Certificate of Conformity through the UK’s Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) process.

      To expedite the process, the EV was recently sent to Germany for TUV inspection, which may aid in certification.

      Currently, Yanni’s Cybertruck holds Albanian plates and registration, just as it did when he purchased it. In one of his recent videos, he claims there is a legal loophole allowing him to operate the vehicle on UK roads, provided he crosses the border every six months.

      According to the UK’s Department for Transport, "A UK resident cannot drive a vehicle displaying foreign number plates in the UK." For imported cars like the Cybertruck, they "must not be driven on foreign plates by a UK resident, except to and from an annual safety inspection or a pre-booked IVA appointment."

      In other words, while the Albanian seller could legally operate the Cybertruck in the UK for up to six months with foreign plates, the same regulation does not apply to Yanni because he is a UK resident.

      Another Cybertruck Seized in the UK

      Yanni isn't the only one facing issues with a Cybertruck. Earlier this year, Greater Manchester Police confiscated another Tesla Cybertruck in Whitefield, UK, after it was deemed illegal to drive. This particular vehicle was reportedly owned by the same Albanian man who sold Yanni his truck.

      According to the police's statement, the driver of the seized EV was a UK resident, but the truck was registered and insured abroad. As a result, it was “seized under S165 of the Road Traffic Act” and held until the owner could provide the “necessary documentation for the vehicle’s release.” As noted by Forbes, the Cybertruck was subsequently transported on a recovery vehicle to private land to avoid “accessing public roads.”

      Whether Yanni and his Albanian associate will ultimately succeed in legally registering and making their Cybertrucks roadworthy in the UK remains uncertain.