This Shop Dismantled a Cybertruck to Accomplish What Tesla Wouldn't in Europe | Carscoops

      Tesla's Cybertruck may finally have a chance to be driven on European roads, thanks to a determined Swiss company that is modifying it to comply with stringent local safety and design requirements.

      Currently, the Cybertruck is not legal in most parts of Europe. However, a Swiss firm claims that local approval is imminent. Nevertheless, EU-wide authorization seems unlikely despite substantial preorder interest.

      The Cybertruck's situation is now widely recognized. It is known for its poor sales performance and struggles with European safety regulations. A company in Switzerland believes it has found a solution to the safety concerns, which could potentially help Tesla address its sales issues.

      The Cybertruck has faced significant delays, and two years post-launch, it is still absent from European streets. This is not due to a lack of attempts; several individuals besides Tesla have tried to import the vehicle to Europe, but most efforts have ended poorly.

      For instance, we previously reported that police seized a Cybertruck in the UK. A British luxury car dealer and YouTuber, Yianni Charalambous, imported and modified a Cybertruck in an attempt to make it street-legal. When that didn't work out, he announced his intention to leave the UK with the vehicle swiftly.

      Additionally, Bruno Dvorský successfully imported a Cybertruck to the Czech Republic last year, asserting that it is as safe as any other truck in Europe, yet even he cannot drive it outside his country.

      Can Swiss ingenuity render it street-legal?

      Raven Seeholzer leads Teslab, the Swiss company aiming to modify the Cybertruck so that it complies with Swiss regulations first, with the hope of eventually meeting EU standards.

      They have made substantial modifications to the vehicle, including adding rubber guards to the panel edges, rewiring to meet European specifications, and creating a new custom front bumper.

      "The car was essentially taken apart," Seeholzer told Business Insider, noting that the revised Cybertruck has already passed several important government tests in Switzerland. He believes registration is now only a matter of time, though this would be limited to local approval.

      However, since Switzerland is not part of the EU, Seeholzer acknowledges that obtaining EU-wide approval would be considerably more challenging.

      Importation and registration are not the only challenges. Even if Seeholzer or anyone else navigates those successfully, insuring the vehicle will also pose difficulties. Adding to these challenges, there is the matter of weight.

      "In Switzerland, the maximum weight for a car is three and a half thousand kilograms. The [modified] Cybertruck is just below that limit, meaning it can't carry too much," Seeholzer explains.

      In essence, if the Tesla becomes legal in Switzerland, it will primarily function as a lifestyle vehicle rather than a practical pickup truck. At least this way, owners can use it in a manner similar to many Americans.

      Sources: Business Insider, Raven Seeholzer, Teslalab