Tesla's Full Self-Driving receives first European approval in Netherlands

Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised system has received its first European approval in the Netherlands via the RDW. This L2+ autonomous driving system allows the vehicle to perform driving functions while requiring constant driver supervision. Following the Dutch approval, there is potential for broader recognition across the European Union, possibly as early as this summer.

However, the approval process has faced scrutiny regarding transparency. Reports indicate that the RDW is withholding underlying test data from the public due to pressure from Tesla, which maintains that the documentation contains sensitive trade secrets. While the RDW claims to be protecting corporate secrets independently, internal communications suggest Tesla explicitly requested written guarantees to prevent the disclosure of safety documents.

Questions regarding the safety and accuracy of Tesla's data have been raised by experts and other nations. Critics point to Tesla's use of selective statistics, such as comparing modern vehicle data against much older fleets, to suggest higher safety levels. While countries like Germany and Norway follow the Netherlands in maintaining data confidentiality, nations including Finland, Sweden, and France have expressed concerns regarding the system's safety.