Tesla owners approved to use self-driving features in Netherlands, a first for Europe
The Netherlands has become the first European country to approve Tesla’s self-driving feature for its owners. The country’s RDW agency for roadworthiness certifications announced on Friday that Tesla’s driver assistance system can now be used in the Netherlands, with the possibility of future expansion to all member states of the European Union. However, there are some conditions that need to be met, including the driver being in the vehicle and keeping a watchful eye on it.
This approval aligns the Netherlands with the regulations in the United States, where Tesla owners can already use the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) function in their cars. The RDW agency stated that the driver assistance system has undergone extensive testing for over a year and a half, both on test tracks and public roads, with safety being their top priority. The system allows the Tesla’s computer to take over tasks such as steering, braking, route navigation, and parking, all while under the active supervision of the driver who must be ready to take control if necessary.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, expressed his excitement about the approval in the Netherlands, acknowledging the hard work of the regulatory authorities. The European subsidiary of Tesla also welcomed the news and mentioned plans to roll out the FSD Supervised feature in more European countries soon.
It is important to note that FSD Supervised is not equivalent to fully autonomous driving. The RDW agency emphasized that the driver remains responsible and must always maintain control of the vehicle while using the driver assistance system. The decision by the RDW agency will now be sent to the European Commission for authorization, giving its national certification EU-wide recognition.
In recent years, Tesla sales have faced challenges in Europe, including the Netherlands. Some potential clients have been deterred by Elon Musk’s political activism in the U.S. and Germany, as well as increased competition from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers. Despite these obstacles, the approval of Tesla’s self-driving feature in the Netherlands marks a significant milestone for the company in the European market.
Overall, the approval of Tesla’s self-driving feature in the Netherlands is a positive development for the company and its customers. It demonstrates the ongoing innovation in the field of autonomous driving technology and paves the way for further advancements in the future.
