Tesla Secures Dutch Approval for Supervised Self-Driving Software in Europe First

Dutch regulators have approved Tesla’s self-driving software with required human supervision on highways and city streets in what is believed to be the first of its kind in Europe for the electric car maker. This move comes as Tesla hopes for similar actions from the rest of the European Union, a key part of Elon Musk’s growth strategy.

The approval follows over 18 months of tests and analysis by the Dutch vehicle authority RDW, which stated that “proper use of this driver assistance system makes a positive contribution to road safety.” The agency also plans to submit an application for the technology to be used throughout the EU.

Tesla’s shares rose about 0.7% in aftermarket trading on Friday following the news. This approval is significant as it could lead to improved sales in Europe, where Tesla has seen slowed vehicle sales due to its aging EV lineup and Musk’s far-right political rhetoric that has alienated some consumers.

The software is already available as a subscription for US drivers but faces consumer lawsuits and federal investigations after crashes and reports of traffic violations. In the Netherlands, where Tesla is the most popular maker with around 100,000 Model 3 and Model Ys eligible for FSD software, this approval could lead to wider adoption.

This move by Tesla comes at a time when other carmakers like Mercedes, Ford, and BMW are also introducing ‘hands-free’ driving technology on select highways and limited speeds in Germany. However, Tesla’s system is the first that will be usable in a wider range of situations.

The Dutch vehicle authority RDW said it would now submit the application for authentication within the entire EU to the European Commission. All member states will then vote on the application, which requires a majority within the responsible committee for the system to become valid EU-wide. If it does not win a majority, individual countries may still decide to allow it.