Tesla FSD Hurdles in China & Secrecy in Europe

This news is about car software, not home energy upgrades, but it involves Tesla, so a quick note for anyone weighing an EV purchase. Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, which lets the car handle driving tasks while the person behind the wheel stays ready to take over, is running into trouble expanding beyond the United States. In China, regulators are writing new rules for self-driving cars, including mandatory standards that take effect in July 2027. Those rules would hold carmakers responsible for accidents that happen while the system is active and would require it to give drivers at least 10 seconds' warning before a potential accident. Data handling is a sticking point too, since Tesla cannot send data it collects in China back to the US. Analysts say broad approval for Tesla's system in China is not close.

In Europe, the European Union could vote on approving FSD across all member countries as soon as October 6, 2026. But the Dutch regulator that first approved the system for use in Europe is refusing to release details on how it decided the technology is safe, citing trade secrets. Emails show Tesla pushed regulators to keep safety review documents permanently confidential, and several other countries have made similar arrangements. France, meanwhile, has refused to approve FSD at all, citing speeding concerns and doubts about whether the system properly ensures the driver stays alert. For homeowners with a Tesla or considering one, this means the self-driving features available may keep varying by country for some time.