The first Tesla Cybertruck has gone on sale in the UK – although drivers still have no idea if it will be road legal here.
An imported silver version of the 2024 futuristic vehicle is on sale on Autotrader for £145,995 – the first version offered to buyers in the UK.
This means they can enjoy armored glass and a faster 0-60mph time than a McLaren or Lamborghini.
But experts say Elon Musk’s electric pick-up could fail UK safety regulations because of its boxy design – and huge weight.
The description of the truck on Autotrader reads: “Discover the future of driving with the Tesla Cybertruck, unleash the power of innovation with the all-new Tesla Cybertruck.
“Designed to defy expectations and redefine what a truck can be, the Cybertruck combines futuristic aesthetics with unmatched performance.
“Durable design, cutting-edge technology, exoskeleton: Constructed from ultra-tough 30X cold-rolled stainless steel, the Cybertruck’s nearly impenetrable exoskeleton provides maximum durability and occupant protection.
“Armor Glass: Tesla Armor Glass is ultra-tough, designed to absorb and redirect impact force for unmatched protection.
“Uncompromising power, performance: Accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds with a range of up to 500 miles.
“Whether it’s on the job site or in the wilderness, the Cybertruck’s three-motor all-wheel drive delivers superior performance on and off the road.”
UK regulations state that the front of a vehicle must be designed to protect pedestrians in the event of a collision.
This means the cars must have crumple zones, must not extend more than 3.05 meters beyond the front-most axle, and must not be sharp or angular with protruding parts that could cause injury.
However, there are concerns that the Cybertruck’s front end is too sharp to meet current rules and could crush pedestrians in a collision.
The sheer size of the pick-up would mean it would be classed as a light goods vehicle (LGV) by the Department for Transport – owners would need to obtain a Class C1 licence.
The C1 license applies to vehicles with a maximum gross weight of over 3.5 tonnes – figures suggest the Cybertruck is somewhere between 3.6 and 4.5 tonnes.
A spokesman for car leasing provider Stable Vehicle Contracts previously said it was unlikely Tesla would ever release it commercially in the UK – meaning motorists who want to own the car would have to import it privately.
The Cybertruck is sold by Leicester-based global car dealer Auto Export via the Autotrader website.
Co-owner Imran Adam, 45, said the firm has around half a dozen vehicles currently in the UAE – and buyers can have one on British soil in just three weeks.
He said: “We are about 70 or 80 per cent confident that we will get approval from the DVLA for the cybertruck to be on the roads in this country.
“Now we are just waiting for a decision. They haven’t said “no” yet, so that’s a good sign.
“I understand that Tesla is working hard behind the scenes on some modifications to make it fit here, because at this point the boxy design may not meet our safety regulations as is.
“If it gets the thumbs up, then we would look at the next issue, which is weight, and see how we can work with the government on that.
“But we don’t want to run before we can walk.
“If the government says it’s OK, we can have the vehicles in the UK in 20 days. It’s very exciting.
“There is huge interest in the cybertruck among UK drivers and we have had dozens of calls about it.
“It’s an amazing piece of machinery – it’s completely indistinguishable from any other car of the 20th or 21st century and a lot of people are very curious about it.”
Imran added that potential buyers can place an order now – but are not expected to pay until the cybertruck is approved for use here.