Key highlights
- Tesla will refund Australian customers who paid a $150 deposit to reserve the electric pick-up.
- Eligible reservation holders can receive one year of Full Self-Driving Supervised access with a new Model 3 or Model Y purchase.
- The decision follows years of uncertainty over right-hand-drive production and whether the Cybertruck could meet Australian Design Rules.
Tesla has officially confirmed the Cybertruck will not be sold in Australia, nearly seven years after opening refundable reservations for the electric pick-up in 2019.
In a message sent to customers on 23 October 2026, Tesla Australia said plans to produce the Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand had been discontinued. The company confirmed that existing reservations would be cancelled and all payments refunded.
Australian customers had been able to place a $150 refundable deposit, although Tesla had never formally confirmed a local launch date or committed to delivering the vehicle here.
The decision closes the door on a vehicle that attracted considerable interest because of its unusual stainless-steel body, angular styling and size. However, the Cybertruck’s future in Australia had remained uncertain, with questions surrounding both its engineering and compliance with local regulations.
Read more: Tesla Roadster revealed with rocket thrusters and sub-one-second acceleration claim
Cybertruck reservation holders offered a bonus
Alongside the refunds, Tesla is offering eligible Cybertruck reservation holders one year of access to its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software when they purchase a new Model 3 or Model Y.
Tesla values the offer at $1788. However, the benefit is tied to buying another vehicle from the brand, rather than being a standalone cash payment.
The software’s name also requires some context. Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is a driver-assistance system, not a fully autonomous driving system. Drivers must remain attentive and responsible for the vehicle.
For customers who reserved the Cybertruck nearly seven years ago, the offer provides an alternative incentive to remain with Tesla, although it does not replace the electric ute they originally hoped to buy.
Right-hand-drive production and Australian rules were major hurdles
The Cybertruck’s Australian prospects had been in doubt for years, particularly because Tesla would need to develop a right-hand-drive version for local buyers.
In 2023, Tesla insiders indicated that the company had no plans to retool its Texas factory for right-hand-drive production. Developing a separate version for a relatively small market would have added engineering and manufacturing complexity.
Australian Design Rules (ADRs) also presented a potential challenge. These national vehicle standards cover areas including safety and pedestrian protection, with requirements that can differ from those in the United States.
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk acknowledged the difficulty in 2024, saying that making the Cybertruck comply with all international requirements could make the product worse. He suggested that separate versions might be needed for markets such as China and Europe.
Despite those concerns, Tesla Australia country director Thom Drew said in 2025 that the company was still working with its engineering team to assess the feasibility of right-hand-drive production. He also suggested that any Australian version could look almost identical to the US model.
Those discussions ultimately failed to produce a confirmed local launch.
Falling US sales add to Cybertruck’s challenges
The Australian cancellation comes as the Cybertruck faces challenges in its home market.
Before US deliveries began in 2023, following delays, Musk claimed Tesla had more than one million global pre-orders and planned to increase annual production to 250,000 vehicles in 2025.
However, according to Cox Automotive data cited in the original report, US Cybertruck sales fell to 20,237 vehicles in 2025, down from 38,965 in 2024.
The figures highlight the gap between the early demand suggested by reservations and the vehicle’s subsequent sales performance. Pre-orders do not necessarily translate into completed purchases, particularly for an expensive and unconventional vehicle.
For Australian buyers, the cancellation means there will be no official local-market Cybertruck offering from Tesla under the plans announced to date. Anyone interested in the model will need to reconsider their options rather than wait for the reservation programme to progress.
Tesla has not announced a replacement electric pick-up specifically for Australian customers as part of this decision. For now, the Cybertruck remains a vehicle Australians may encounter through displays or other unofficial channels, rather than one they can order through Tesla Australia.
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