Explainer-Tesla's road towards Full Self-Driving approval in Europe
By Toby Sterling and Philip Blenkinsop
Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) Approval Process in Europe
AMSTERDAM/BRUSSELS, June 30 (Reuters) - European regulators are set to meet on Tuesday to discuss whether to roll out Tesla's supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) system across the region. But the technology, already available in the United States and expected to boost the EV maker's sales in Europe, has divided the continent's regulators.
Ahead of a crucial vote — not expected before October — to decide European Union-wide approval, some countries individually have authorised the system. However, others have raised safety concerns, including about its ability to drive above legally posted speed limits.
Here are the issues and background of the discussion:
What is 'FSD Supervised'?
Tesla's "FSD (Supervised)" software is an advanced driver-assistance system. While FSD can steer, brake and accelerate, humans are ultimately responsible and expected to be ready to take over at any time.
Tesla's Strategy for FSD Approval
Rather than following the normal path for a new type of motor vehicle in Europe, Tesla is seeking an exemption under current law, saying FSD is a new technology that existing rules do not properly cover. That allows a single nation, in this case the Netherlands, to issue a provisional approval valid on its own territory, and then seek authorization from the European Commission and other authorities for EU acceptance.
Progress So Far
Provisional Approval and Trials
After 18 months of trials on test tracks and public roads, the Dutch authority RDW issued a provisional approval on April 10, meaning FSD (Supervised) can be used on all Dutch roads. It notified the European Commission of its decision and intention to propose the technology for broader European use.
The RDW does not plan to publish testing details, citing rules that prevent it from publishing commercially sensitive information.
Other Countries' Responses
The RDW says the system, if used correctly, can improve road safety. Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark and Belgium have since used the Dutch authorisation to grant provisional approval for their territories. Finland and Greece have said they are also considering approving the technology soon.
The Next Step
An EU-wide rollout requires support by a "qualified majority" of 15 of the EU's 27 member states, representing 65% of the bloc's population. A vote is not expected before October.
Upcoming Meetings
The Technical Committee on Motor Vehicles (TCMV) — the EU subcommittee overseeing the vote — met in May to discuss the Dutch approval and hear a presentation from RDW about the basis of its approval. It is meeting on Tuesday to discuss the issue further.
Concerns and Challenges
Regulatory and Safety Concerns
Some countries, including a few that have approved FSD for themselves, also signalled some concerns ahead of the bloc vote. Regulators in the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway, who could prove critical to Tesla's push for approval, have flagged worries, including FSD's tendency to speed, its safety on icy roads and drivers' ability to circumvent features designed to prevent cell-phone use, according to emails seen by Reuters through public records requests.
Speeding and Road Safety
Speeding concerns are expected to be a focus on Tuesday. A Swedish transport authority has called for a vote against the rollout of FSD unless Tesla removes the software's ability to drive above legally posted speed limits.
Handling of Curves and Road Conditions
Norwegian and Finnish regulators have also expressed concerns about how FSD handles curves, saying the software navigates tight corners and roundabouts at higher speeds than standard safety rules allow.
Tesla's user manual says drivers should not rely solely on the system for speed limits and must "drive at a safe speed based on traffic and road conditions".
The Vote and Its Implications
Following an approval, the European Commission would begin the process of changing motor vehicle law to account for the new technology. One or more states still could challenge the vote in court.
EU rejection would mean RDW's provisional approval would lapse after six months, invalidating the other national approvals along with it, according to Denmark's traffic authorities.
(Reporting by Toby Sterling in Amsterdam, Philip Blenkinsop in Brussels, Marie Mannes in Stockholm and Abhirup Roy in San Francisco; Editing by Mike Colias, Matthew Lewis and Kevin Buckland)