Tesla plans to offer full self-driving in Europe next year

Tesla is planning to launch its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in Europe during the first quarter of next year, subject to regulatory approval.

The car maker hopes the move will enable it to gain the competitive edge in the critical market.

Bloomberg reports that the company's AI division recently shared a technology release road map on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, highlighting the forthcoming launch.

Tesla also plans to introduce the technology in China.

Gaining regulatory approval in Europe and China is crucial for Tesla as it aims to boost sales and maintain an edge over Chinese competitors who are actively developing similar advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

In the UK, the Government is claiming that self-driving vehicles could be on British roads by 2026, after its Automated Vehicles (AV) Act became law.  

Originally announced in the King’s Speech in November 2023, the new law aims to put Britain at the forefront of self-driving technology regulation.

Road safety is central to the new legislation, with automated vehicles expected to improve road safety by reducing human error, which the Department for Transport (DfT) says contributes to 88% of road collisions. 

The new law will require self-driving vehicles to achieve a level of safety at least as high as careful and competent human drivers, as well as meeting "rigorous" safety checks before being allowed onto roads.

Tesla recently passed critical data security reviews and forged a partnership with China’s Baidu on mapping and navigation systems and also received permission to test its FSD technology on Shanghai streets.

Despite being called "Full Self-Driving," Tesla stresses that the software still requires drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and remain attentive at all times.

During a July earnings call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed optimism that FSD would receive approval in China, Europe, and other global markets by the end of the year.

If Tesla secures approval, the FSD launch could help shore up its market share in China which the China Passenger Car Association reported as dropping by 6% in the first eight months of this year compared to last year.