Tesla FSD EU Approval Delayed, Company Negotiates with Ireland

The European Union has postponed its planned vote on approving Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system from October to December at the earliest. In response, Tesla is bypassing the EU-wide process and engaging directly with individual member states, starting negotiations with Ireland for local approval.

According to reports from the Irish Examiner, Tesla confirmed it is actively working with Irish authorities to secure a local permit for FSD. The company stated that FSD recently received regulatory approval in the Czech Republic, marking the seventh European market to recognize its potential. Ireland is also expected to grant approval at an opportune moment.

Tesla has delivered over 15,000 vehicles in Ireland and registered more than 2,700 new vehicles this year. The company is also planning to open a new retail center north of Dublin, indicating its commitment to the Irish market.

Following the Netherlands' lead as the first EU country to establish an exemption framework for FSD, several other member states have since granted local approvals. Tesla aims to leverage real-world safety data from these markets to push for a unified EU-wide license. The company has reported a 40% reduction in accidents in Australia and New Zealand during the first full year of FSD's public operation there.

Despite individual country approvals, a comprehensive EU license faces opposition. Influential member states like Sweden and France have raised concerns, particularly regarding the system's potential to exceed posted speed limits, and have urged the EU not to grant a pan-European approval. These objections are believed to be the reason behind the delayed EU vote.