Elon Musk’s EV and battery monolith Tesla has finally abandoned plans to bring the controversial Cybertruck electric utility to Australia – and other right-hand drive markets – more than seven years after it was first unveiled and deposits taken.

The Cybertruck was first unveiled to the world in 2019, but there was always a question about whether it would ever be sold in Australia, largely due its size and Australia’s often strict design requirements.

There was talk of a slightly smaller model, but after the Cybertruck struggled for sales even in its own market, that idea – if it ever existed – has been canned.

Reservations for the Cybertruck for Australian customers ended in 2022, but in 2024 Tesla brought a Cybertruck out to Australia and took it around the country. Maybe the response was not as enthusiastic as they hoped.

In an email to deposit holders sent on Friday morning, a day after the company’s quarterly results were released, Tesla said:

“We’re writing with an important update regarding your reservation. After careful consideration, plans to produce Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand have been discontinued. As a result, we’re unable to fulfil your reservation and it will be cancelled.”

The $A150 deposits will be returned to reservation holders within 30 days. Tesla is offering one year free subscription to its Full Self Driving Supervised (FSD) software, as long as they buy a new Model 3 or Model Y.

It is the latest blow for Australian customers, who have been unable to secure any new Tesla Model S or Model X EVs, and are probably unlikely to see the newly-released Tesla Roadster, and definitely not the flying version.

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