Tesla Under Fire: Misleading FSD Data in Europe
According to a report by Watson, Tesla allegedly submitted misleading autonomous driving data to European regulators. The accusation is serious: the automaker is said to have embellished its accident statistics to prove the safety of its FSD system. This could have far-reaching consequences for the approval of FSD in the EU.
Data Manipulation in Detail
Tesla is said to have systematically downplayed or miscategorized accidents that occurred during the use of Autopilot or FSD (Full Self-Driving). For example, serious accidents were allegedly classified as "minor damages" or completely removed from the statistics. The goal was to demonstrate the superiority of the system over human drivers.
For instance, while Tesla publishes quarterly safety reports for the US market, these are largely absent in Europe. The EU Commission and national authorities such as the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) rely on data provided by Tesla to grant approval for autonomous driving functions.
Comparison of FSD Hardware and Approval
While Tesla is already rolling out FSD Supervised in the US, Europe lags behind. The new allegations could further delay the approval process.
Background: Tesla's Battle for Approval
Tesla has been trying for years to unlock the full potential of FSD in Europe as well. So far, only Enhanced Autopilot with features like highway assist and automatic lane changes is available. The complete FSD suite with city driving functions has not yet been released.
The EU has strict requirements: UNECE Regulation R157 requires a "system application" with extensive safety evidence for Level 3 systems. Tesla has submitted an application, but the now-known irregularities could lead to follow-up questions or rejection.
Reactions and Outlook
Experts are concerned. "If Tesla has actually manipulated data, it would be a serious offense," says Dr. Markus Lienkamp from TU Munich. Authorities would then have to tighten review procedures. For Tesla, this could mean that FSD in Europe may have to wait even longer for approval.
There has been previous criticism of Tesla's safety statistics: in March 2024, activists claimed Tesla had concealed 32,000 deaths with FSD in a dossier. The current case shows that the company remains under pressure.
Conclusion
The allegations are serious and could shake trust in Tesla's autonomous driving technology. The next steps by European authorities are awaited with interest. For consumers, this means caution: until FSD is officially approved in the EU, Tesla's promises should be viewed with a critical eye.