Tesla Inc. has sparked speculation about the introduction of its Cybertruck in China, as the company has reportedly filed with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) to measure the energy consumption of the stainless steel truck.
What Happened
According to a recent report, Tesla received an Automobile Energy Consumption Label, classifying the Cybertruck as an M1 passenger vehicle with a range of 618 kilometers (384 miles). This filing has fueled speculation about the potential sale of the Cybertruck in China. However, it’s worth noting that this is just one of the many compliance requirements needed to sell a vehicle in the country.
Background
Tesla has already started delivering Cybertrucks to customers in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Although the Cybertruck is listed on Tesla’s China website, customers in China cannot currently order the vehicle. Earlier this year, Tesla took the Cybertruck on a tour around China, but the company has yet to begin selling it in the country.
Challenges Ahead
Getting approvals for the Cybertruck in China may be a challenging task. In January, Tesla CEO Elon Musk mentioned that it would be difficult to get the stainless steel vehicle on Chinese roads, without explaining why.
Manufacturing and Importation
The Cybertruck is currently manufactured only at Tesla’s gigafactory in Texas. If Tesla decides to sell the Cybertruck in China, it would need to be imported, similar to the company’s other pricier EV offerings, the Model S and Model X. Tesla’s Shanghai gigafactory only produces the company’s lower-priced mass-market offerings, the Model 3 and Model Y.
Next Steps
While this is a step towards potentially selling the Cybertruck in China, there is still a long way to go before Tesla can start delivering the vehicle to Chinese customers. As the company continues to navigate the complexities of Chinese regulations, it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds.