Reuters: Tesla Pushes Full Self-Driving, But EU Still Has Concerns
Despite CEO Elon Musk's confidence in early approval, some European regulatory bodies harbor doubts about Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, citing concerns about potential speeding, safety on icy roads, and driver cellphone usage prevention. Approval requires a double majority vote, and this week's vote was postponed.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 16:31
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Brussels, 5th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Tesla CEO Elon Musk confidently predicted that the European Union would soon approve Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. However, emails from some European regulatory agencies show that they still have doubts about this technology and its claimed safety benefits.
Reuters reported that Tesla's "Full Self-Driving (supervised by driver)" technology was approved by the Dutch road regulatory agency RDW in April. The RDW is now seeking EU approval for this technology, and a key committee is holding a hearing today.
Musk told analysts in a conference call on April 22nd that "we expect many other countries to approve (FSD)," and Tesla would then seek approval for Robotaxis in Europe.
The approval of FSD in Europe is crucial for Tesla, as the company is trying to regain market share lost in the past two years. Tesla charges a monthly fee for FSD, which can drive autonomously in certain situations but still requires the driver to remain highly focused throughout.
However, in previously undisclosed email communications, regulatory agencies in the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Norway raised multiple concerns about FSD technology, including the system's potential tendency to speed, safety on icy roads, and whether drivers can circumvent safety mechanisms designed to prevent mobile phone use.
Furthermore, regulatory agencies are displeased with Tesla's strategy of publicly encouraging owners to pressure regulators to approve FSD.
The European Commission will hear from Dutch officials today explaining why they approved Tesla FSD and why other EU member states should follow suit.
Tesla did not respond to Reuters' request for comment.
For FSD to be approved in the EU, it needs double majority support in the committee: at least 55% of member states voting in favor, representing at least 65% of the total population. No vote on FSD was scheduled this week; the next committee meetings are expected in July and October. (Translated by Hung Pei-ying) 1150505
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(Central News Agency, Brussels, 5th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Tesla CEO Elon Musk confidently predicted that the European Union would soon approve Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. However, emails from some European regulatory agencies show that they still have doubts about this technology and its claimed safety benefits.
Reuters reported that Tesla's "Full Self-Driving (supervised by driver)" technology was approved by the Dutch road regulatory agency RDW in April. The RDW is now seeking EU approval for this technology, and a key committee is holding a hearing today.
Musk told analysts in a conference call on April 22nd that "we expect many other countries to approve (FSD)," and Tesla would then seek approval for Robotaxis in Europe.
The approval of FSD in Europe is crucial for Tesla, as the company is trying to regain market share lost in the past two years. Tesla charges a monthly fee for FSD, which can drive autonomously in certain situations but still requires the driver to remain highly focused throughout.
However, in previously undisclosed email communications, regulatory agencies in the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Norway raised multiple concerns about FSD technology, including the system's potential tendency to speed, safety on icy roads, and whether drivers can circumvent safety mechanisms designed to prevent mobile phone use.
Furthermore, regulatory agencies are displeased with Tesla's strategy of publicly encouraging owners to pressure regulators to approve FSD.
The European Commission will hear from Dutch officials today explaining why they approved Tesla FSD and why other EU member states should follow suit.
Tesla did not respond to Reuters' request for comment.
For FSD to be approved in the EU, it needs double majority support in the committee: at least 55% of member states voting in favor, representing at least 65% of the total population. No vote on FSD was scheduled this week; the next committee meetings are expected in July and October. (Translated by Hung Pei-ying) 1150505
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force for protecting press freedom.
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The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.