Tesla's futuristic Cybertruck is not allowed on public roads in Flanders as it fails to comply with regulations. The announcement comes after a man drove his Cybertruck through the coastal city of Knokke.
Elon Musk’s giant electric pick-up truck has recently appeared on European roads, raising concerns among road safety organisations. At 5.88 metres long, 2.03 metres wide and 1.9 metres high, it is an imposing vehicle. Its weight without passengers exceeds three tonnes, which together with its sharp corners, poses a risk to safety on public roads, especially in accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.
The vehicle has also been spotted in Belgium. At the start of October a man from Flemish Brabant became the first Belgian known to own one of the pick-ups. He drove his Tesla Cybertruck in Knokke – a coastal town where flashy displays of wealth are not uncommon.
The vehicle had been bought directly from the United States, as it is not yet on sale in Europe. In Belgium, people who own the Cybertruck must obtain a homologation document from the Belgian authorities, stating that it meets European safety requirements and can be driven on Belgian roads.
Strict safety regulations
Flemish MP Andy Pieters (N-VA) questioned whether Flemish mobility minister Annick De Ridder (N-VA) had received the application for the vehicle. De Ridder said she had not, meaning that this Cybertruck cannot drive on public roads in Flanders. It is unclear whether the owner will be fined.
"I myself do not decide which vehicles are allowed on Flemish roads, there are strict regulations for this on what is and is not allowed," De Ridder said. "In order to give a definite answer about the suitability of this vehicle on Flemish roads, the vehicle would have to be tested according to European regulations."
Owners of the vehicle can apply for approval but this is a long process as European safety regulations are stringent and the Cybertruck does not currently meet requirements, especially for collisions with pedestrians. Tesla would have to make a number of modifications to its Cybertruck to comply with regulations in Europe.
Moreover, the current Cybertruck is also not compatible with European charging stations, meaning even if the vehicle is allowed on the road, owners' mileage would be limited.
