European Union regulators are expressing growing concern over Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, highlighting safety risks such as speeding, performance on icy roads, and potential driver misuse, even as the Dutch regulator leads a push for EU-wide approval. The debate comes ahead of a key committee meeting this week that could shape the future of Tesla’s autonomous driving ambitions in Europe.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said he expects the European Union to approve the system soon, calling it a crucial step for expanding the company’s driver-assistance technology and eventually rolling out driverless robotaxis in the region. However, internal communications between regulators in several EU countries, including the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Norway, show significant doubts about whether the system is ready for broader deployment.
The Dutch road authority, which approved Tesla’s “FSD (Supervised)” system in April, is now presenting its case to an EU-wide committee in an effort to secure bloc-wide authorization. But approval is far from guaranteed, with regulators stressing that member states representing a majority of the EU population must vote in favor for the system to be accepted across the bloc. No vote is scheduled this week, with further meetings expected later this year.
In the emails reviewed by Reuters, regulators raised concerns about the system’s tendency to exceed speed limits, its behavior in winter conditions, and the possibility that drivers could bypass safeguards meant to prevent distraction, such as phone use while driving. Officials also questioned Tesla’s branding of the system as “Full Self-Driving (Supervised),” warning it could mislead users into overestimating its capabilities.
Some regulators also expressed frustration over Tesla’s public campaign encouraging customers to pressure authorities into approving the technology. According to the correspondence, Tesla representatives reached out to multiple countries urging them to recognize the Dutch approval shortly after it was granted, while also promoting the system’s expected EU-wide rollout.
Despite the concerns, not all feedback has been negative. Certain regulators acknowledged that the system performed well in complex urban environments, including dense traffic conditions in European cities. Still, others warned that testing in extreme scenarios such as icy roads and encounters with animals like moose raised unresolved safety questions.
Tesla has not responded to requests for comment on the regulatory concerns. The company, which has faced declining sales in parts of Europe, views FSD approval as a key driver for future growth in the region. Analysts say regulatory clearance could significantly boost competitiveness against rival electric vehicle manufacturers.
As discussions continue, European regulators remain divided between cautious openness to automated driving technology and concerns that Tesla’s system may not yet meet the safety standards required for widespread public use.
