by Tesla Announced Autopilot Approval in Europe, But Regulator Denied It
The company Tesla, via the social network X, announced that the Dutch road traffic regulator RDW had promised to approve its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in February 2026. However, it later turned out that this claim was untrue, and the regulator had not made such commitments.
Regulator’s Reaction and Online Discussion
Following Tesla’s statement, the RDW regulator promptly issued a denial, which sparked active online discussion regarding the company’s plans to expand the autopilot function beyond the US. Despite Tesla having offered FSD in America for years, the system is still not available in Europe due to regulatory hurdles.
Tesla’s Efforts in Europe
The manufacturer claims to have conducted FSD demonstrations for regulators in almost all EU countries and believes that the most effective way to implement the system is to obtain an exemption through the Dutch RDW. In its post on X, Tesla called on fans to contact the regulator to express support and thank them for the future approval.
Tesla has been working hard toward shipping Full Self-Driving (Supervised) in Europe for over 12 months now. We have given FSD demos to regulators of almost every EU country. We have requested early access, pilot release programs or exemptions where possible. We have developed…
Regulator’s Stance on Pressure
However, RDW denied having made any promises regarding approval and noted that the details of reviewing manufacturers’ applications are confidential. The regulator also asked Tesla supporters to stop mass appeals, as it takes time and does not affect the approval process.
Expert Assessment of the Situation
Experts point out that the tactic of pressuring the regulator is unusual and could undermine the independence of approval procedures. It is emphasized that the process must be based on technical safety criteria, not public pressure.
Tesla’s further actions in Europe remain under close scrutiny, as the successful implementation of autopilot requires not only technological solutions but also the trust of regulators and society. The company is likely to continue seeking ways to adapt to European standards, but without clear guarantees regarding timelines.
