Karmactive Team
After holding customer deposits for nearly seven years, Tesla has officially killed the Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand. Reservation holders received cancellation emails in late October 2026. The company is refunding the nominal deposit amounts — but many 2019 payment cards have long since expired.
Tesla opened Cybertruck reservations for Australia and New Zealand in November 2019. Buyers put down deposits expecting 2021-2022 delivery. By cancelling the program in late October 2026 and returning only the principal, Tesla held customer cash interest-free for almost seven full years without ever submitting the vehicle for Australian Design Rules certification.
Why Right-Hand Drive Was the Dealbreaker
Tesla cited no current plans to produce or certify a right-hand-drive (RHD) version that meets Australian and New Zealand vehicle design regulations. The Cybertruck’s steer-by-wire system and stainless-steel exoskeleton would require prohibitively expensive re-engineering for RHD homologation — especially as North American Cybertruck volume slows.
The cancellation also signals likely exits for other RHD markets. Buyers in Malaysia and the UK with reservations should expect similar notices. Meanwhile, Tesla faces ongoing North American quality remediation, including a cantrail trim recall from March 2025 affecting all produced units and an accelerator pedal recall, per NHTSA recall records.
Check Your Tesla Account — Your 2019 Card Probably Expired
If you held a Cybertruck reservation in Australia or New Zealand, check the email linked to your Tesla account carefully. Because many bookings date back to 2019, the original payment card on file has likely expired. You must verify updated payout details through your Tesla account portal to receive your deposit refund. Do not wait for a check in the mail — the refund process runs through the account dashboard. For more on vehicle recall processes, see our coverage of Ford F-150 NHTSA safety recalls.
RHD Electric Pickup Market Ceded to Rivals
Cancelling the RHD Cybertruck leaves Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia reliant on Chinese and legacy diesel or hybrid pickups. BYD’s Shark, Ford F-150 Lightning conversions, and Rivian’s future RHD plans now face an open field. For electric pickup truck comparisons, read our guide on Chevrolet Silverado EV towing and fleet capabilities.
The Seven-Year Interest-Free Loan
When Tesla opened Australian and New Zealand Cybertruck reservations in November 2019, buyers put down deposits expecting 2021-2022 delivery. By cancelling the program in late October 2026 and returning only the nominal deposit amount, Tesla held customer cash interest-free for nearly seven full years while never submitting the vehicle for Australian Design Rules certification.
What Readers Are Asking
Why did Tesla cancel the Cybertruck in Australia and New Zealand?
Tesla scrapped its launch plans in late October 2026 after seven years of holding reservations, citing no current plans to produce or certify a right-hand-drive (RHD) version that meets local Australian and New Zealand vehicle design regulations.
How do I get my Tesla Cybertruck deposit refund in Australia?
Log into your Tesla account portal and verify updated payment details. The original card from 2019 has likely expired. Refunds process through the dashboard, not by mailed check.
