The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has urged the European Union to reject the adoption of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, citing concerns over its ability to exceed speed limits. The ETSC expressed worries about a feature in Tesla's driver-assistance system that allows it to adjust speed limits, potentially allowing the vehicle to exceed speed limits by up to 50%. This feature has raised concerns about the system's compatibility with European safety rules.
The ETSC noted that Tesla has not applied for an exemption from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) regulations, which would permit the FSD system to exceed declared speed limits using the speed limit offset function. The FSD system controls the vehicle's speed and steering, but requires the driver to remain attentive and able to intervene, classifying it as a driver-assistance system rather than a fully autonomous one.
The ETSC has called on European regulators to reject the speed limit offset function, as well as another feature that adjusts the vehicle's speed to match surrounding traffic. This comes as Tesla seeks to expand the FSD system's presence in the European market. The Dutch regulatory body, RDW, approved the system in April, followed by Belgium and a few other countries.
The Dutch approval granted exemptions from some UNECE regulations, but the ETSC emphasized that the speed limit offset function was not among them. Several European countries, including Sweden, France, and the Czech Republic, have raised concerns about the system's ability to exceed speed limits. A vote on adopting the system at the EU level was expected in October, but it is now unlikely to take place before December.
The dispute over speed limits is one of the most significant issues in Tesla's efforts to gain widespread European approval for the FSD system, with different national regulatory bodies holding varying positions on which features can be permitted. Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, has stated that delays in approving the system "will cost lives," while the company has not immediately commented on the ETSC's stance.
The ETSC's concerns are centered on ensuring that the FSD system adheres to European safety standards, and the body's call for the EU to reject the system's adoption highlights the ongoing debate over the regulation of autonomous driving technologies. As the EU continues to consider the FSD system's approval, it remains to be seen how the bloc will balance the need for safety with the potential benefits of advanced driver-assistance systems.
The FSD system's approval process has been contentious, with different countries and regulatory bodies weighing in on its safety and compatibility with existing rules. As the EU prepares to make a decision on the system's adoption, it will need to carefully consider the concerns raised by the ETSC and other stakeholders to ensure that any approved system meets the bloc's stringent safety standards.
Key points
- ETSC urges EU to reject Tesla's FSD system due to speed limit concerns
- Tesla's FSD system allows for speed limit offset, raising concerns about safety and regulatory compliance
- EU approval process for FSD system uncertain, with vote delayed until December
