WEB DESK: France has rejected the use of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver assistance system on its roads in its current form, citing safety concerns and becoming the first European Union member state to publicly oppose a Dutch-led initiative for broader approval of the technology.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said the government believes the system’s current safety standards are insufficient to justify authorisation despite its technological advancements.
“In France, we believe that, while this system brings several technological advances, the safety trade-offs are not yet sufficient to justify authorisation in its current form,” Tabarot said in a video statement.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system is an advanced driver assistance feature capable of accelerating, braking and steering the vehicle, but it still requires drivers to remain alert and ready to take control at all times.
The Dutch road authority (RDW) granted provisional approval for the software in April, with Belgium, Denmark, Estonia and Lithuania subsequently supporting the move ahead of a possible European Union-wide vote later this year.
France’s decision marks the first public opposition by an EU member state to the Dutch-backed proposal and could complicate efforts to secure approval across the bloc.
Responding on X, Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said delaying approval of the Full Self-Driving system in France “will cost lives.”
Despite its opposition, France said it would continue technical discussions with the Netherlands and other European Union member states as regulators further assess the safety and performance of the technology.
Tesla considers the Full Self-Driving system a key component of its long-term business strategy and a major competitive advantage as the company seeks to strengthen its position in the European market following a decline in vehicle registrations last year.
