Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Hits Major EU Roadblock
▼ Summary
– Tesla prematurely announced that Dutch regulator RDW would approve its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in February 2026.
– RDW clarified that Tesla plans to demonstrate FSD Supervised in February, but approval is not guaranteed and depends on meeting safety requirements.
– The Dutch regulator emphasized that traffic safety is paramount and the timeline for a decision remains uncertain.
– Tesla’s FSD Supervised is an upgrade from Autopilot, offering additional automated features but still requiring the driver to remain engaged with hands on the wheel.
– FSD is currently available in several countries, including the United States, Canada, China, and Australia, but not yet in Europe.
Tesla’s ambitious plan to deploy its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology across Europe has encountered a significant setback, following a public disagreement with Dutch regulators. The company recently announced on social media that the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) had committed to granting national approval for FSD by February 2026. This approval was considered a crucial gateway for introducing the system to consumers throughout the European market. Tesla encouraged its followers to contact the RDW to express support for this timeline.
However, the regulatory body has since issued a clarification that directly contradicts Tesla’s optimistic announcement. In an official statement, the RDW confirmed that Tesla is scheduled to demonstrate its FSD Supervised system in February, but it emphasized that a final approval decision is not guaranteed. The agency stated that both parties understand the necessary steps, but whether the February schedule can be met will depend on developments in the coming period. The RDW firmly reiterated that traffic safety remains its highest priority, leaving the ultimate approval uncertain.
All Tesla vehicles include a standard Autopilot driver-assistance system. For an additional fee of $8,000, customers can upgrade to FSD Supervised, which offers more advanced features like automated steering, lane changes on highways, and navigation on city streets. It is vital to understand that this system is not autonomous; drivers must keep their hands on the wheel and remain fully attentive at all times. Currently, FSD is operational in several countries, including the United States, Canada, China, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico.
(Source: TechCrunch)
