Tesla Races for EU Full Self-Driving Approval Amid Intense Scrutiny
BREAKING: Tesla is urgently pushing for approval of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in Europe as the company navigates a complex regulatory landscape. Despite CEO Elon Musk touting the system as four times safer than human drivers, European regulators are taking a cautious approach, significantly delaying the rollout.
Documents reveal that Tesla has been actively engaging with the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW), which holds the key to EU-wide authorization. Internal communications indicate that Tesla employees describe the situation as “mission critical,” highlighting the pressure the company is under to secure approval by the end of this month. An email from last November emphasized the urgency, stating the need for timely approval of testing permits.
The stakes are high for Tesla, especially as sales in Europe have declined sharply. In the first four months of 2025, Tesla’s sales were only about half of what they were during the same period in 2024. The company faces fierce competition from Chinese rival BYD and a less enthusiastic European public towards its self-driving technology.
Tesla’s FSD system has been showcased in videos navigating the streets of Rome, Berlin, and Paris. However, the European rollout remains limited compared to the US, where the software is already in widespread use. In Europe, features such as highway lane changes require driver approval, demonstrating the stringent regulations Tesla must comply with.
Tesla’s strategy includes high-profile engagements, such as spending approximately $30,000 to host RDW staff at its California headquarters and organizing an FSD “Experience Day” at the RDW’s offices. These efforts underscore Tesla’s commitment to gaining regulatory approval, but frustration is mounting among employees regarding the slow pace of testing and the extensive requirements imposed by the RDW.
Documents show that since September 2024, Tesla has been meeting weekly with regulators, and as of December, only nine vehicles had been approved for testing in the Netherlands. Tesla has also sought permission to test in Denmark and Norway. However, the RDW’s cautious approach has delayed progress, with testing permits taking over a month to be granted.
Amid this regulatory turmoil, Tesla’s stock price has dropped about 18% year-to-date, prompting price cuts in response to slumping demand. The company has experienced significant growth globally, but the current regulatory barriers in Europe threaten to hinder its expansion plans.
Tesla’s FSD technology has been available in North America since 2018, and the company has completed over a billion miles with the software. Yet, European regulations are much stricter, requiring extensive testing and type approval before any self-driving vehicle can be sold or operated.
As Tesla eagerly awaits a decision from the RDW, the pressure mounts not just from regulatory bodies but also from the competitive landscape. Musk’s ongoing frustrations were evident in his recent social media posts, where he expressed exasperation over the prolonged approval process.
The next steps for Tesla hinge on the RDW’s upcoming decisions, with eyes on a potential presentation to EU regulators in May 2025. As the situation develops, the automotive world will be watching closely to see if Tesla can overcome these regulatory hurdles and successfully launch its Full Self-Driving technology in Europe.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.
