France starts tests on Tesla's self-driving tech

By Gilles Guillaume

PARIS, Sept ‌3 (Reuters) - France has ​begun ​tests on two cars to better assess Tesla's FSD advanced driver assistance system, French Minister of Transport Philippe Tabarot said, in a ‌move that could bring Europe a step closer to approval ⁠of Elon Musk's autonomous driving technology.

Netherlands road authority RDW approved Tesla's Full Self Driving system ‌for use on Dutch roads ‌on a provisional basis in April, prompting Belgium, Denmark, Estonia and Lithuania to do the same in advance of a bloc-wide vote on ​the plan that could take place as early as next month.

FSD is a driver assistance system that can accelerate, brake, and steer a ⁠car while its human driver remains ready to intervene, but does not effectuate a fully self-driving car.

In ​July, Tabarot had said the safety trade-offs were not yet sufficient to justify authorisation, specifically in areas of speed limitation ​and driver attention warnings.

In a post on ‌X late on Tuesday, the minister said he had had "a constructive exchange" with Musk regarding the technology after working closely ⁠with Tesla for several months on technical adaptations needed for France to support its approval.

"With the provision of two vehicles equipped with FSD by Tesla, we are ⁠now entering a new phase: that of on-road testing," he said.

France wants to do its ​own tests to verify the data provided by the Netherlands and Tesla, and to test the system on French roads, said a transport ministry source. It is aiming ‌to have test results in mid to late September, to be in a position to vote on a decision ‌by the bloc in coming months.

A vote could take place next month or ⁠early December, said the source, ‌adding that he expected Tesla ​to be open to addressing their concerns, allowing the technology to be approved in Europe.

(Reporting by Gilles Guillaume; Editing by ‌Jan Harvey)

---

Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

---

You May Also Be Interested In

• Campbell's forecasts annual sales below estimates on weak consumer spending
• Morning Bid: Labor days
• Can sheep save the glaciers? Swiss scientists put wool to the test