A Swiss company called Teslab has extensively modified a Tesla Cybertruck to meet local safety standards, bringing it close to registration in Switzerland after nearly two years since the vehicle's US launch. Led by Raven Seeholzer, the effort addresses sharp edges and wiring issues that have blocked the truck in Europe. While EU-wide approval remains distant, demand persists with hundreds of preorders.
Tesla's Cybertruck, launched in the US nearly two years ago, has yet to appear on European roads due to strict safety regulations, particularly its sharp stainless-steel edges and heavy weight. In Basel, Switzerland, used-Tesla dealer Teslab, founded by Raven Seeholzer in 2018, has taken on the challenge. Over the past year, the company has dismantled and rebuilt a fleet of five imported Cybertrucks, focusing on modifications to comply with European standards.
Key changes include adding rubber guards to blunt the edges, which could harm pedestrians, installing a custom front bumper for better crash protection, and overhauling the electrical wiring. "The car was pretty much fully apart," Seeholzer told Business Insider in October, describing the extensive re-engineering. The modified prototype has passed most major government tests in Switzerland, with Seeholzer stating, "We're in the final stage of getting it road legal here. We just wanted to bring this crazy car to European roads and show everybody that it's safe."
Registration would apply only locally, as Switzerland is not part of the EU, where approval would be far more complex. Weight limits pose another hurdle: Switzerland caps vehicles at 3,500 kilograms, and the Cybertruck, weighing just under that, must function as a "lifestyle" vehicle rather than a heavy-duty truck. "You cannot load too much," Seeholzer noted.
Despite obstacles, interest is strong. Teslab has sold three Cybertrucks and received around 400 preorders as of October. Previous import attempts, such as a seizure in the UK and a modified version in Czechia by Bruno Dvorský, faced backlash and limited success. Dvorský, who added silicone coverings and adjusted lights, argues the truck is as safe as other pickups: "It's okay, but don't hate on other things."
Critics like James Nix from Transport & Environment maintain the Cybertruck violates EU rules on edges and speed limiters, predicting insurance challenges. Tesla has no immediate plans for a Europe-compliant version, though Elon Musk mentioned a smaller pickup in 2020.
