Tesla Planning To Bring Cybertruck to Australia in Right-Hand Drive

For years, Australian EV enthusiasts have speculated whether Tesla’s bold and unconventional Cybertruck would ever make its way Down Under. Now, the possibility is inching closer to reality, as Tesla Australia has confired ongoing efforts to develop a right-hand-drive (RHD) version of the stainless steel-clad electric pickup truck.

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Tesla’s Changing Stance on Cybertruck for Australia

When Tesla first unveiled the Cybertruck in 2019, expectations were sky-high. However, as production ramped up in the U.S. in late 2023, Australians were left wondering if they would ever see it in local showrooms. For a long time, the official stance from Tesla suggested that right-hand-drive production was not a priority, and the challenges of modifying the Cybertruck to meet Australia’s regulatory requirements seemed insurmountable.

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But that stance is shifting. Tesla Australia and New Zealand Country Director Thom Drew recently revealed at Sydney’s Everything Electric Expo that Tesla is "working pretty hard" on bringing the Cybertruck to Australia. While he stopped short of confirming its arrival, Drew emphasised that the company sees a strong case for the vehicle in the local market.

"It is in our sights, and we're talking with the engineering team about the feasibility of building it in right-hand drive," he said.

The biggest hurdle? The Texas Gigafactory, where all Cybertrucks are currently produced, is exclusively set up for left-hand-drive models. Engineering a right-hand-drive version would require significant investment, and Australia would be the only confirmed market for such a model at this stage.

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Why Tesla Sees Potential for Cybertruck in Australia

Tesla has been actively gauging interest by touring Australia and New Zealand with a left-hand-drive Cybertruck. The vehicle, seen at major events and tested by select Tesla employees, has sparked excitement among local EV enthusiasts. The company believes there’s an unmet demand for a rugged, high-performance, all-electric utility vehicle—something that no other automaker currently offers in Australia.

"We think there's a real gap in the market that still needs to be filled," Drew noted. "We want it here. Part of the tour was to get fresh eyes onto it, get a true perception of what people think about it and what the potential demand might be."

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Tesla has historically faced skepticism about Cybertruck’s ability to meet Australian Design Rules (ADRs), particularly regarding pedestrian protection and its steer-by-wire system. While some industry experts doubted its compliance, Drew suggested that only minor modifications—such as Australia-compliant lighting units—might be needed rather than a complete re-engineering.

Potential Pricing and Competition

If the Cybertruck does arrive in Australia, its price will be a hot topic. In the U.S., the base model starts at $79,990 USD (approximately $127,900 AUD). If a similar pricing model applies here, the Cybertruck could start at around $115,000 AUD after factoring in Luxury Car Tax. However, additional costs related to shipping, exchange rates, and RHD modifications could push the price closer to $150,000 AUD. By comparison, the popular BYD Shark 6 Ute starts from $57,990 plus on-road costs.

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Even at the higher end of that estimate, the Cybertruck would remain competitive with full-size American pickups like the Ford F-150 Lariat V6 ($139,950 AUD). Unlike other U.S. pickups that require costly local right-hand-drive conversions, a factory-built RHD Cybertruck would have a significant pricing advantage.

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Regulatory Hurdles and Elon Musk’s Take

Despite the excitement, challenges remain. Elon Musk has previously expressed reluctance about modifying the Cybertruck to meet international regulations, arguing that it would "make the product, frankly, worse." However, Australia’s vehicle regulations differ from those in Europe and China, making the Cybertruck’s local approval potentially more feasible than in other global markets.

Tesla executives have reaffirmed their commitment to meeting all necessary ADR requirements if the Cybertruck is to be sold in Australia. Kevin Goult, Tesla’s senior marketing manager for Australia and New Zealand, assured: "Tesla will always meet the requirements of the local market in terms of ADRs. We've got some clever engineers doing some very clever things."

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The Verdict: Is Cybertruck Coming to Australia?

For now, Tesla remains non-committal, but the ongoing discussions and local interest suggest that an Australian Cybertruck launch is no longer just wishful thinking. The company is actively gathering feedback, evaluating demand, and exploring technical feasibility.

While there is no official launch timeline, Tesla’s push for an RHD model signals that the dream of owning a Cybertruck in Australia is closer than ever. If demand proves strong enough, Australian EV enthusiasts might soon see the stainless steel beast roaming local roads.