Skip to content
Electric Vehicles
Germany

Germany blocks Tesla Cybertruck on roads over pedestrian safety and licensing rules

By Eve

Bavarian police stopped a Swedish driver operating a Tesla Cybertruck near Vaterstetten, citing the vehicle's lack of type approval in Germany and the driver's insufficient licence class. Authorities have rejected individual exemption requests, stating the Cybertruck deviates significantly from European pedestrian protection standards due to its angular body design. The vehicle requires a C1 licence in Germany because of its permitted maximum weight, not the standard Class B held by the driver.

Why it matters

The ruling underscores strict European vehicle safety regulations that can block certain EV models from public roads, affecting fleet operators and importers planning to deploy or service such vehicles. It highlights the importance of type approval compliance for any EV entering European markets, particularly for commercial or heavy duty electric pickups.

Source

Original title
“Cybertruck denied road exemptions in Germany over pedestrian-safety violations”
Published
28 October 2026
Updated
29 October 2026

In this story

Related news

Tesla Malaysia to add six Supercharger stations by end of 2026, bringing network to 27 sites

Tesla Malaysia announced it will add six Supercharger stations across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Penang by the end of 2026, expanding its network from 21 stations with 92 Superchargers to 27 sites. The company currently operates 21 Supercharger stations nationwide, up from 15 stations with 68 Superchargers a year earlier, and maintains 18 Destination Charging stations with 78 chargers. Additional stations are planned pending local authority approval, according to a presentation at the Tesla CyberCab preview event in October 2026.

Why it matters

The 29% expansion in Supercharger stations demonstrates Tesla's commitment to building out proprietary infrastructure in Malaysia, potentially influencing site selection and permitting timelines for competing charge point operators. The disclosure of pending local authority approvals signals ongoing procurement opportunities across multiple Malaysian jurisdictions.

Malaysia
30 Oct 2026

Tesla (global) · Source

Tesla displays CyberCab autonomous taxi in Malaysia despite absence of self-driving regulations

Tesla Malaysia is showcasing its two seat CyberCab robotaxi at four shopping centres from 29 October to 22 November 2026, starting at Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur and concluding at Gurney Plaza in Penang. The driverless vehicle features butterfly doors and no steering wheel or pedals, with Tesla advisors offering 15 minute guided walkthroughs. Malaysia currently has no autonomous driving regulations in place, meaning any fleet orders could not be deployed on public roads, and police have previously banned the use of automated driving systems.

Why it matters

The tour signals Tesla's intent to build market awareness for autonomous taxi technology in Southeast Asia, but the regulatory gap means no near term procurement opportunities exist for Malaysian operators or municipalities seeking to deploy robotaxi fleets.

Malaysia
29 Oct 2026

Tesla (us) · Source

BYD workforce hits 1.02 million, exceeding Toyota, GM, Ford and Tesla combined

BYD now employs more than 1.02 million people, including up to 120,000 R&D engineers, chairman Wang Chuanfu told the China Society of Automotive Engineers' 33rd annual conference on Wednesday. The Chinese automaker added roughly 150,000 staff in 10 months despite falling vehicle sales, bringing its total above the combined headcount of Toyota, GM, Ford and Tesla. Around 960,000 work in China and 60,000 abroad, with R&D focused on battery cells, motors, electronic controls and semiconductors.

Why it matters

BYD's vertical integration strategy, keeping batteries, chips and motors in house, underpins its scale and signals intensifying competition for EV supply chain talent and manufacturing capacity. The workforce expansion, even as sales dip, suggests the company is investing heavily in R&D and production infrastructure that could reshape global EV and charging component markets.

China
Global
29 Oct 2026

BYD · Toyota · GM · Ford · Tesla · Source