The Tesla Cybertruck may soon make its way to the Chinese market despite recent denials from Tesla China. The company has completed a significant regulatory filing, receiving an Automobile Energy Consumption Label from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
While this does not confirm an imminent launch, the approval has reignited speculation about Tesla’s plans for the electric pickup in one of the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) markets.
As we reported earlier this week, Tesla China denied any immediate plans to introduce the Cybertruck to the region. Furthermore, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously expressed skepticism about the feasibility of making the Cybertruck road-legal in China, citing the challenges of compliance with local regulations.
Despite these statements, the approval suggests that Tesla is at least exploring the possibility.
The energy consumption label posted the MIIT website provides some interesting details about the Cybertruck’s specifications in China. The vehicle boasts a range of 618km (384 miles). Perhaps most importantly, the Cybertruck is classified as an M1 passenger vehicle rather than a traditional truck.
This classification could get Tesla around restrictive regulations that typically apply to light trucks in China, such as being subject to annual inspections, mandatory scrapping after 15 years, and having restricted access to many urban areas, all of which limit their broader appeal.
Despite the approval, launching the Cybertruck in China is far from straightforward. The vehicle must still meet stringent requirements for pedestrian safety and other local standards. Furthermore, Tesla might consider developing a modified version of the Cybertruck tailored to international markets, though there has obviously been no official confirmation on that front.
