Tesla Inc. finds itself in a public dispute with European regulators over the approval status of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, casting doubt on the system's imminent launch across the Atlantic.
Regulatory Clash Over FSD Timeline
The conflict escalated when Tesla used Elon Musk's social media platform, X, to announce that its main path to European FSD approval was through RDW, the Dutch vehicle authority. The company claimed in a Sunday post that RDW had committed to granting Netherlands national approval in February 2026.
However, the regulator responded forcefully on Monday, denying Tesla's characterization of their discussions. RDW clarified that it has merely established a schedule with Tesla for February demonstrations of the FSD system, emphasizing that no commitment to approval has been made.
Public Campaign Backfires
The situation intensified when Tesla encouraged its X followers to contact RDW and thank the authority for the supposed approval, sharing a link to the regulator's contact page. This move prompted an unusual public response from the typically reserved regulatory body.
RDW explicitly asked the public to stop contacting them about this matter, stating that such communications take up unnecessary time for our customer service and will have no impact whatsoever on the approval process. The authority reinforced that road safety remains its top priority and approval will only come after the system's safety has been convincingly demonstrated.
Broader Implications for Tesla in Europe
This public disagreement highlights the ongoing challenges Tesla faces in bringing its advanced driver-assistance system to European consumers, years after making it available in the United States. CEO Elon Musk has repeatedly expressed frustration with European regulatory processes, including during Tesla's annual shareholder meeting earlier this month.
The timing is particularly notable as Tesla recently updated the website where it reports FSD safety data, following criticism from experts who questioned the methodology and comparisons used in previous reports. As the February demonstration deadline approaches, all eyes will be on whether Tesla can satisfy European safety standards for its controversial autonomous technology.
