Tesla to launch full self-driving in Europe and China by early 2025

Tesla announced on Thursday that it will launch its “Full Self Driving” (FSD) driver assistance feature in Europe and China by early next year. This paid add-on is expected to roll out in the first quarter of 2025, contingent on regulatory approval.

The announcement follows Elon Musk’s securing approval for the FSD system in China in April, a key milestone for Tesla in the world’s largest automotive market.  While Tesla has not yet obtained the required approvals to introduce FSD in Europe and China, Musk expressed optimism in July that these permissions would be granted by the end of 2024.

Tesla confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the service would debut in both regions in the first quarter of 2025, “pending regulatory approval.”

https://twitter.com/Tesla_AI/status/1831565197108023493

FSD is a significant part of Musk’s vision to transform Tesla into a more AI-focused company and advance self-driving technology. However, despite the name, FSD does not render vehicles fully autonomous. Drivers must remain alert and ready to take control as needed.

Tesla FSD

FSD builds on Tesla’s existing Autopilot driver assistance system, which is already available in Europe and China. The company has offered a limited version of FSD technology in China for several years.

Since 2016, Musk has promised that Tesla would develop technology capable of fully autonomous driving. However, technical and regulatory hurdles have prevented the realization of this promise to date.

Reports indicate that Tesla is collaborating with Baidu, a major Chinese tech company, to enhance its FSD with advanced mapping and navigation software. Additionally, Tesla has been addressing regulatory requirements related to data security and privacy, crucial in China’s regulated environment.

Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives views the FSD launch in China as a pivotal moment for Tesla, especially given the company’s recent challenges with falling revenue and intense competition in the EV sector.

“This could present a significant opportunity for Tesla,” Ives noted, suggesting that the introduction of FSD in these markets might provide a valuable boost for the company amid current market pressures.