Germany Backs EU-Wide Tesla FSD Approval With Speed Cap and Name Change
Regulators agreed to a 10% speed offset and Tesla offered to rename the tech 'Tesla Assisted Driving' to clarify driver responsibility.
German regulators have signaled support for EU-wide approval of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, provided the system operates with a speed offset capped at 10% above the limit and adopts a new name to better reflect driver responsibility.
What Happened
An October 6 statement from Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport detailed September discussions between Transport Minister Steffen Bilger and Tesla representatives regarding the future of the FSD suite. The parties reached an agreement on technical and liability issues, prompting Bilger to advocate for timely EU-wide approval. The ministry noted that the agreed-upon speed limit—allowing travel up to 10% above the posted limit—addresses previous regulatory concerns about excessive speeding, particularly contrasting with the U.S. version’s 'Mad Max' mode which drives significantly over limits. Additionally, German regulators have expressed that the 'Full Self-Driving' name is misleading, leading Tesla to reportedly offer a rebrand to 'Tesla Assisted Driving.'
Why It Matters
Approval in Germany, a key automotive market, could smooth the path for broader adoption across the European Union, where FSD’s rollout has been fragmented. Currently, FSD is available in eight European countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and Croatia, but EU-wide acceptance requires a separate vote by member states. The move to rename the system and cap speeds aligns the European version more closely with stricter liability standards, distinguishing it from the U.S. offering which excludes the aggressive 'Mad Max' mode. This development comes as Tesla reports over 1.48 million FSD subscribers, with the service costing €99 a month in European markets.
The Bottom Line
While the German Ministry of Transport praises the system’s urban capabilities and low need for driver intervention, it emphasized that this support is for regulatory approval of the technology in principle, not an immediate authorization of its current U.S. form. The final decision rests on a vote by EU member states.
