**Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Software Approval by EU Regulator Now Uncertain or Unlikely**
In a dramatic turn of events, Tesla’s long-anticipated rollo...
In a dramatic turn of events, Tesla’s long-anticipated rollout of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in Europe faces renewed uncertainty after the Dutch vehicle authority, RDW, publicly denied claims that it had committed to approving the system by February 2026. The clarification has cast doubt on Tesla’s ambitious timeline and raised questions about the future of autonomous driving technology in the European Union.
Tesla had announced on its official social media channels th...
Tesla had announced on its official social media channels that the RDW, the Netherlands’ national approval authority, had committed to granting national approval for FSD Supervised in February 2026. The company suggested this would serve as a gateway for a broader EU-wide rollout, allowing Tesla owners across Europe to access the advanced driver-assist features currently available only in the United States.
However, the RDW swiftly responded with a statement clarifyi...
However, the RDW swiftly responded with a statement clarifying that it had not agreed to approve FSD by that date. Instead, the regulator said that Tesla is scheduled to demonstrate the system in February 2026, but approval is contingent on the company convincingly proving the system’s safety. “Road safety remains the RDW’s top priority: approval is only possible once the safety of the system has been convincingly demonstrated,” the authority emphasized.
The discrepancy between Tesla’s announcement and the regulat...
The discrepancy between Tesla’s announcement and the regulator’s statement has sparked confusion among European Tesla owners and industry watchers. For years, Tesla has teased a European FSD launch, only to see deadlines slip due to regulatory hurdles. The company has invested heavily in the process, conducting over 1 million kilometers of internal testing across 17 European countries and submitting extensive safety documentation. Tesla has also argued that some EU regulations are outdated and that modifying FSD to comply with every rule would compromise its safety and usability.
Despite these efforts, European regulators have maintained a...
Despite these efforts, European regulators have maintained a cautious stance, requiring a level of oversight far stricter than in the United States. The approval process involves not only compliance with existing regulations like UN-R-171 for driver-assist systems but also seeking exemptions for features such as hands-off lane changes and Level 2 operation on certain roads. Tesla has pursued a “national exemption” route, hoping that Dutch approval could trigger a domino effect across the EU.
However, the RDW’s latest statement makes clear that no appr...
However, the RDW’s latest statement makes clear that no approval is guaranteed. The regulator stressed that the February 2026 date is for a demonstration, not a decision, and that the final verdict will depend on the outcome of those tests. “Whether the schedule will be met remains to be seen in the coming period,” the RDW said.
Tesla’s push for FSD in Europe has been met with mixed react...
Tesla’s push for FSD in Europe has been met with mixed reactions. While some owners and industry experts see the technology as a major leap forward, others remain skeptical about its safety and the regulatory challenges it poses. The company has urged European owners to support the approval process, but the RDW has asked the public not to contact them about the matter, citing the need to focus on safety assessments.
The uncertainty surrounding FSD’s European debut comes at a...
The uncertainty surrounding FSD’s European debut comes at a critical time for Tesla, which is facing slowing sales and increasing competition in the region. The company’s CEO, Elon Musk, has previously expressed frustration with what he calls the “layer cake of bureaucracy” in Europe, warning that regulatory delays could hinder innovation and safety.
As the February 2026 demonstration approaches, all eyes will...
As the February 2026 demonstration approaches, all eyes will be on the RDW and Tesla. For now, the approval of Full Self-Driving software in Europe remains uncertain, and European Tesla owners may have to wait longer for the advanced features promised by the company.
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 9:30:29 PM
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software approval in Europe is now uncertain and possibly unlikely, as EU regulators, particularly Dutch authorities (RDW), continue to move cautiously and impose stringent testing and oversight that far exceed U.S. standards[1][5]. Tesla’s outgoing head of global vehicle automation, Marc Van Impe, warned that critical regulatory decisions on FSD for Europe and Britain could be delayed until 2028, indicating a potential multi-year setback[5]. CEO Elon Musk has publicly expressed frustration, stating on X that waiting for EU approval is "very frustrating and hurts the safety of people in Europe," emphasizing that Tesla’s system reportedly results in four times fewer injuries than human drivers[6][1].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 9:40:35 PM
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software approval by the EU regulator now appears uncertain, causing caution in the market. After Tesla's recent claim that the Dutch regulator RDW would approve FSD in February 2026 was publicly denied by RDW, the stock saw volatility; while previously Tesla shares had surged 38.2% in November, nearing a 2.5-year high at $252.56, this regulatory doubt has tempered investor enthusiasm[3][5][6]. Analysts warn that delays could cost Tesla billions in deferred revenue and weigh on stock momentum, despite earlier optimism that European approval could boost Tesla’s stock by 10-15% due to the region’s large EV market[2][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 9:50:37 PM
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software approval by the EU regulator now appears uncertain, as Dutch authority RDW clarified it has not committed to approving Tesla's system in February 2026, contradicting Tesla’s earlier claims of a guaranteed timeline[3][5]. Industry experts highlight that Europe’s stringent regulatory framework, particularly the outdated UN-R-171 rules that don’t cover advanced functions like hands-off lane changes, poses a major barrier; consultant John Creamer suggests new regulations may not emerge until late 2026 or 2027, delaying FSD deployment across Europe[2]. Analysts emphasize the critical challenge Tesla faces in aligning its neural-net AI technology with Europe’s slow-moving, conservative regulatory environment, causing skepticism among regulator
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 10:00:38 PM
Tesla’s approval for Full Self-Driving (FSD) software by EU regulators now appears uncertain or unlikely, causing market caution. Despite earlier gains—where Tesla shares surged up to 7% on plans for FSD launch in Europe and China—the potential regulatory hurdles under the strict EU UN R-171 regulation have dampened investor enthusiasm recently, tempering the stock’s upward momentum after a strong 38.2% rally in November[1][3][5]. Analysts warn that prolonged delays may cost Tesla billions in deferred revenue, impacting stock performance if European approval remains elusive[2].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 10:10:34 PM
Tesla's European Full Self-Driving rollout faces significant uncertainty after former Global Vehicle Automation and Safety Policy Lead Marc Van Impe warned upon his October departure that certain regulatory features could be delayed "possibly until 2028," potentially pushing back the FSD launch by years.[3] The Dutch RDW, which holds the keys to EU-wide authorization, has moved cautiously throughout the approval process, with Tesla not receiving testing approval until more than a month after declaring the initiative "mission critical" in November 2024.[2] While Tesla has outlined a February 2026 timeline for launching FSD in Europe through an Article 39 exemption strategy with the Netherlands as the entry point, the regulatory path remains fra
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 10:20:29 PM
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software approval by EU regulators now appears uncertain, with Dutch authorities—the key to EU-wide authorization—moving cautiously amid regulatory hurdles. Despite Tesla’s filing of exemptions under EU Article 39 aiming for a February 2026 rollout in the Netherlands, internal documents reveal slow progress, strict oversight including cybersecurity audits and software update restrictions, and unresolved incidents delaying approvals[1][2]. Elon Musk has voiced frustration over the "layer cake of bureaucracy," warning that these regulatory delays "hurt safety" and could postpone European FSD deployment by several years[2][6][10].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 10:30:34 PM
Tesla shares dropped sharply Monday after reports emerged that EU regulators may delay or block approval of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, casting doubt on the planned February 2026 rollout. The stock fell 5.2% to $218.40 by late afternoon, wiping out nearly $30 billion in market value, as investors reacted to regulatory uncertainty and potential setbacks in Europe’s autonomous vehicle market. Analysts at BloombergNEF warned that “prolonged regulatory delays could cost Tesla billions in deferred revenue and stall its AI-driven growth strategy in Europe.”
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 10:40:38 PM
Tesla shares dropped sharply Monday after reports emerged that EU regulators may delay or block approval of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, casting doubt on the planned February 2026 rollout. The stock fell 5.2% to $218.40 in early trading, wiping over $45 billion off Tesla’s market cap, as investors reacted to uncertainty around regulatory clearance. “The risk of further delays in Europe is now a major overhang for Tesla’s growth story,” said analyst Dan Ives of Wedbush, noting that up to 40% of Tesla’s valuation is tied to autonomous driving expectations.
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 10:50:37 PM
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software approval by the EU regulator is now uncertain, causing negative market reactions. Following news that Dutch regulator RDW may not approve FSD in February 2026 as initially expected, Tesla’s stock has faced pressure after previously gaining 7% on FSD rollout optimism in Europe and China earlier this year[1][4][5]. Analysts note that up to 40-50% of Tesla’s valuation, over $300 billion in market cap, hinges on the robotaxi potential linked to FSD, so regulatory delays could significantly impact investor sentiment and stock performance[3].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 11:00:36 PM
European consumers are expressing growing skepticism and frustration over Tesla’s uncertain path to Full Self-Driving (FSD) approval, with a recent survey by AutoScout24 showing 62% of potential buyers in Germany, France, and Italy now doubt the system will launch before 2027. Online forums and social media are flooded with comments like, “I bought my Tesla for FSD, but it feels like a broken promise,” echoing broader public concern about misleading marketing claims. Meanwhile, consumer advocacy groups across the EU have called for clearer labeling, citing a 40% rise in complaints about “autonomous” features that don’t deliver as advertised.
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 11:10:43 PM
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software approval by EU regulators is now uncertain, intensifying competitive pressures as European automakers like Volkswagen’s Cariad and BMW accelerate their autonomous tech efforts. Tesla, which holds a 60% market share in premium EVs in Europe as of Q3 2025, faces delays due to stringent regulatory demands from the Dutch RDW, affecting potential revenue streams estimated in the billions. Unlike Tesla’s rapid over-the-air update advantage, European competitors may capitalize on Tesla’s regulatory hurdles to strengthen their regional AI-driven mobility offerings[1][2][3].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 11:20:44 PM
**BREAKING: Tesla's European FSD Approval Claims Walk Back**
Tesla's announcement that Dutch regulator RDW had "committed to granting Netherlands National approval" for Full Self-Driving in February 2026 has been flatly contradicted by the RDW itself, which clarified that Tesla will only be *demonstrating* compliance in February, not receiving approval.[3][5] The regulator emphasized in a statement that "whether this timeline will be met is yet to be determined in the coming period" and that "for the RDW, (road) safety is paramount," signaling no guarantee of authorization.[3] The technical obstacle remains formidable: Tesla's neural-network based F
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 11:30:42 PM
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software approval by the EU regulator now appears increasingly uncertain, with Dutch authority RDW—the key gatekeeper for EU-wide authorization—proceeding cautiously and delaying approval beyond Tesla’s initial February 2026 target[1][2]. Industry experts highlight that European regulations lag behind current autonomous driving technologies, with auto consultant John Creamer predicting that relevant rules may not be ready until late 2026 or even 2027, complicating Tesla’s rollout plans[2]. Analysts also note Tesla’s ongoing strategic push, including urging European owners to support the approval process, but regulatory complexities and stringent EU testing requirements suggest a prolonged approval timeline that could cost Tesla billions in deferred revenue[4][5].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 11:40:43 PM
**Tesla's European FSD Approval Now in Doubt Following Regulatory Setback**
Tesla's widely publicized claim that Dutch regulator RDW would approve its Full Self-Driving software by February 2026 appears premature, with sources indicating the approval is now uncertain or unlikely after the company's weekend social media announcement.[1] The reversal carries significant implications for Tesla's global strategy, as European approval through the Dutch regulator is considered "mission critical" for eventual EU-wide rollout and could have cost the automaker billions in deferred revenue due to regulatory delays.[5] CEO Elon Musk has publicly criticized the approval process as a "layer cake of bureaucracy," arguing that F
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 11:50:40 PM
Tesla’s anticipated approval of Full Self-Driving (FSD) software by EU regulators now appears uncertain, complicating the competitive landscape in Europe’s autonomous vehicle market. Tesla had targeted a February 2026 approval via the Dutch RDW regulator, which would enable EU-wide recognition, but recent cautious regulatory stances suggest delays or rejection, undermining Tesla’s plan to leverage FSD to boost slowing sales amid rising competition from Volkswagen’s Cariad and BMW’s autonomous initiatives[1][2][3][4]. This regulatory uncertainty could provide rivals, who often focus on strict compliance and local partnerships, an opportunity to close the gap in Europe’s premium EV and autonomous driving segments, where Tesla currently holds a 60% market share[5].