France opposes EU approval of Tesla's FSD driver assistance software for now

France has voiced opposition to the European Union approving Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in its current form, citing significant safety concerns. French Transportation Minister Philippe Tabarot stated that while the system offers technological advancements, the safety trade-offs are not yet sufficient for authorization.

This stance represents the first public rejection by an EU government of a Dutch-led effort to gain bloc-wide approval for Tesla's advanced driver assistance system. The Netherlands' road authority, RDW, had provisionally approved the technology for use on Dutch roads in April, a move that prompted similar approvals in Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, and Lithuania ahead of a potential EU-wide vote this fall.

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In France, we believe that, while this system brings a number of technological advances, the safety tradeoffs are not yet sufficient to justify authorisation in its current form.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded to the French opposition on social media, asserting that delaying FSD approval in France "will cost lives." FSD is a key feature for Tesla, designed to assist with acceleration, braking, and steering, though it requires the human driver to remain ready to intervene.

Despite the French objection, Tabarot indicated that technical discussions with the Netherlands and other EU member states are ongoing. The debate highlights the complex balance between embracing automotive innovation and ensuring public safety on European roads.

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delaying the approval of FSD in France will cost lives