Tesla Full self-driving: when will autonomous driving come to Europe?

Tesla is pushing ahead with the development of autonomous vehicles at full speed - and in the USA, the Full Self-Driving (FSD) is already on the roads. But in Europe, the revolutionary feature remains on hold for the time being. Why has the introduction been delayed and what are the chances that FSD will soon be available in this country? We take a look at the current regulatory hurdles and possible solutions.

FSD: Tesla's vision of autonomous driving

Tesla has a clear mission: to make driving safer and more comfortable. With FSD, a Tesla theoretically drive completely independently - from navigating in city traffic to highway driving. In North America, drivers who have paid for the FSD package can already use the latest software updates. In this country, however, the reality is different.

Elon Musk recently confirmed that FSD is technically ready for Europebut is still waiting for regulatory approval. And this is precisely where the problem lies.

Why is FSD not yet permitted in Europe?

While Tesla in the USA its software is almost independent of regulatory restrictions the hurdles in Europe are significantly higher. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) sets the rules here and decides which technologies are allowed on the road.

UNECE Regulation No. 157 - The main problem for Tesla

One of the biggest challenges is the UNECE Regulation No. 157which automated lane departure warning system (ALKS) is regulated. This regulation entails several restrictions:

Strict speed limits: Autonomous driving functions are only permitted up to certain speeds.
Manual confirmation by the driver: Every lane change and every autonomous decision must be confirmed by the driver - a massive obstacle for a truly self-driving system.
Very limited field of application: Autonomy is only permitted on roads that do not have direct pedestrian traffic - many European highways without clear barriers are therefore excluded.

In short, FSD could only work in Europe in a much slimmed-down version, which is not what Tesla marketed as "full self-driving".

Is there a solution for Tesla?

Despite the current restrictions, there is hope. The UNECE is constantly working on new regulations and has announced the 2024 Regulation No. 171 has already expanded the scope for assistance systems.

Three possible scenarios for Tesla FSD in Europe:

Slow, gradual adaptation of the rules: In the coming years new regulations could allow more autonomy - but this will take time.
Special permits at national level: Individual countries could approve FSDs before a pan-European regulation comes into force.
Tesla develops an adapted FSD version for Europe: A slimmed-down version with more manual control could be an interim solution.

Particularly interesting: Norway, the Netherlands and Germany have shown themselves to be more open to autonomous driving in the past. It is conceivable that these countries could take on a pioneering role.

Conclusion: When will Tesla FSD come to Europe?

Currently there are no fixed timetable for the introduction of FSD in Europe. The regulatory hurdles are high, but Tesla has already proven that it can react flexibly to such challenges. The question is not whetherbut when FSD finds its way to Europe.

One thing is certain: autonomous driving is coming - and Tesla will be at the forefront.