Tesla is one step closer to launching the Cybertruck in Canada after receiving an exemption to allow for the truck’s steer-by-wire system.
As we all know by now, Tesla first started delivering the Cybertruck in the US late last year. In the months since then we have received a few updates from executives and Cybertruck program employees on when we might expect deliveries to start north of the border.
According to the most recent update, Tesla was working closely with Transport Canada, but there were still a number of requirements to be met before the company could officially start accepting orders.
One of those requirements have now been met. This week Transport Canada issued a temporary exemption to allow the Cybertruck’s steer-by-wire technology on Canadian roads.
“Whereas the purpose of this exemption is to allow Tesla Motors Canada ULC (Tesla) to use a highly variable steer-by-wire system that does not have the minimum steering angle of ±270 degrees as required for testing,” the exemption reads. (h/t: @realLoganWatson)
According to Transport Canada, the exemption is good for five years and expires July 18, 2029 at 23:59 EST. We assume the regulations will be updated during that time to allow for steer-by-wire without this exemption, but that the timeline to get that update was too long and Tesla asked for the exemption.
This is a positive step towards Cybertruck deliveries finally starting in Canada, but it is still not officially approved for sale, and there are a number of hurdles Tesla still needs to overcome. The information relayed by employees is that Tesla will start allowing customers to configure and place their orders once they have confidence in the timeline for the Cybertruck’s approval.
That means the final approval is still far enough in the distance, or the timeline unclear enough, that Tesla is still not comfortable enough to invite Canadians to configure their order.
UPDATE: In response to our post on X, Tesla says they are still aiming to release the Cybertruck in Canada this year.
