Tesla Inc. is aiming to secure approval for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature in Europe by February 2026. The company has been actively 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 While the company stated that some regulations are outdated, Tesla aims to maintain safety without compromising usability.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.
Upon approval, other EU countries can recognize the exemption, paving the way for an EU-wide rollout.
Recent Advancements in FSD Technology
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology has seen significant advancements recently. The company’s FSD v14 has been praised by experts, including Ross Gerber, co-founder of Gerber Kawasaki, who noted it as a substantial upgrade over previous versions. Despite some mapping issues, Gerber expressed satisfaction with the system’s enhancements.
Andrej Karpathy, Tesla’s former AI lead, compared the FSD’s performance to a magnetic levitation train, highlighting its smooth and confident operation. Gary Black, managing director of The Future Fund LLC, emphasized the progress in Tesla’s autonomous driving sector, noting that the FSD v14 has significantly improved, with fewer critical disengagements compared to its predecessor, v13.
What’s Next for Tesla’s FSD Technology
As Tesla continues to work towards securing approval for its FSD feature in Europe, the company is poised to make significant strides in the autonomous driving sector. With its advanced FSD technology and collaborative approach with regulators, Tesla is well-positioned to lead the charge in the development of autonomous vehicles.