The safety data that Tesla submitted to regulators in order to obtain wider approval for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) driving assistance system in Europe has become a matter of discussion. According to official correspondence obtained by Reuters as a result of requests for information; Tesla used statistics that were heavily criticized by independent experts in his meetings with officials in Sweden and the Netherlands. It is stated that the data in question was shared to support the claim that FSD significantly increases road safety. However, some traffic safety researchers argue that these figures are not scientifically sound enough.
According to the documents, Tesla sent various safety statistics to the Dutch road authority RDW in November 2024. The company claimed that widespread use of FSD could reduce traffic accidents and improve driving safety. After more than a year of testing and evaluation, RDW granted national approval for the system. It is stated that the institution is now taking initiatives for a broader permit process throughout the European Union. However, experts state that there are question marks about the accuracy of some data used in the decision process.
One of the most striking claims in the presentations shared by Tesla was the calculation that FSD technology could theoretically save the lives of 32 thousand people and prevent 1.9 million injuries. However, independent transportation researchers say this conclusion is based on unrealistic assumptions. According to experts, it is accepted that in order to reach these figures, all vehicles in the USA should be replaced with FSD-equipped Tesla models. It is stated that this assumption, which covers all vehicles from heavy commercial vehicles to motorcycles, is not possible in practice.
FSD security calculations are at the center of criticism from experts
Researchers working in the field of traffic safety also object to Tesla’s method of calculating accident rates. According to critics, the company evaluates data on its own vehicles based on serious accidents in which airbags were deployed. It then compares these results to extensive U.S. traffic accident databases that include minor crashes. Experts state that a direct comparison of these two datasets with different criteria may overestimate the security advantage.
In addition, it is noted that Tesla compares its new generation electric vehicles with the average vehicle park in the USA. It’s a reminder that the average vehicle on U.S. roads is about 12 years old and lacks most modern collision avoidance systems. For this reason, it is suggested that the comparisons may reflect the natural advantages of technologically more up-to-date vehicles, such as the performance of FSD.
The approach of European regulatory authorities to these data varies from country to country. RDW in the Netherlands states that they rely on their own track and real road tests in their evaluations rather than company presentations. However, it is not clear whether the institution separately verifies the statistics provided by Tesla. The Swedish Transport Agency states that it does not only look at the prominent figures when making the decision, but does not share details about what additional evidence was examined. In response, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration described the data in question as statistics produced by the company and announced that it did not comply with official accident records.
For Tesla, FSD’s wider approval in Europe coincides with a commercially critical period. While the company has struggled to maintain its leading position in the European market in recent years, Chinese manufacturers, especially BYD, have become more visible in sales rankings. In addition, Elon Musk’s controversial statements and political debates around the company are also considered to affect the brand perception in some European markets.
Due to the current regulatory structure, national authorizations alone are not sufficient to introduce FSD across Europe. So far, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Belgium and Denmark have approved the use of the system under certain conditions. For a valid permission throughout the European Union, a formal voting process must be completed through the European Parliament and the mechanisms where member states are represented. In order for the relevant regulation to be adopted, it is required that at least 55 percent of the member countries and countries representing at least 65 percent of the EU population support it.
On the other hand, organizations such as the European Transport Safety Council call for a more cautious approach. The organization argues that if it trusts Tesla’s safety data, it should open the raw data to independent academic institutions and pass it through peer-review processes. On issues of direct public interest, such as driving safety, regulators need to rely not only on company presentations but also on independent and verifiable scientific studies, experts say. While discussions continue, the future of FSD in Europe continues to depend on both technical test results and the data evaluation processes of regulatory bodies.