Tesla Inc. is aiming to receive approval for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature in Europe by February 2026. The company has been engaging with regulators across the EU for over a year to facilitate this rollout.
Engaging With Regulators
Tesla has been conducting FSD demonstrations for regulators in nearly every EU country. The company has requested early access and pilot release programs and has shared comprehensive safety data in its latest Safety Report. During internal testing, Tesla has safely driven over 1 million kilometers on European roads in 17 countries.
Primary Strategy
Tesla’s primary strategy involves collaborating with the Dutch approval authority, RDW, to obtain exemptions for FSD features. This includes compliance with existing regulations and filing for exemptions on unregulated behaviors, such as system-initiated lane changes. While the company stated that some regulations are outdated, Tesla aims to maintain safety without compromising usability. RDW is expected to grant national approval in the Netherlands by February 2026.
EU-Wide Rollout
Upon approval, other EU countries can recognize the exemption, paving the way for an EU-wide rollout. This would be a significant milestone for Tesla, as it would allow the company to offer its FSD feature to customers across the continent.
Recent Developments in FSD Technology
Improvements in FSD v14
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology has seen significant advancements recently. The improvements in Tesla’s FSD v14 have been praised by experts, including Ross Gerber, co-founder of Gerber Kawasaki. Gerber noted that FSD v14 is a substantial upgrade over previous versions, despite some mapping issues.
Comparisons to Magnetic Levitation Train
Andrej Karpathy, Tesla’s former AI lead, compared the FSD’s performance to a magnetic levitation train, highlighting its smooth and confident operation. Karpathy’s comments reflect the advancements in Tesla’s hardware, particularly the HW4, which has impressed users with its capabilities.
Progress in Autonomous Driving
Gary Black, managing director of The Future Fund LLC, emphasized the progress in Tesla’s autonomous driving sector. Black noted that the FSD v14 has significantly improved, with fewer critical disengagements compared to its predecessor, v13.
Conclusion
Tesla’s pursuit of European approval for its FSD feature is a crucial step in the company’s mission to offer autonomous driving capabilities to customers worldwide. With its primary strategy in place and recent developments in FSD technology, Tesla is poised to make significant progress in the autonomous driving sector.