Finland may approve Tesla's self-driving software before EU vote

Key facts

• Finland's transport authority may approve Tesla's self-driving assistance system before an EU-wide decision.
• The Netherlands was the first European country to grant provisional approval for Tesla's FSD system.
• Traficom is assessing specific features such as driver retake control and performance in low-visibility conditions.
• An EU-wide vote on the system is anticipated in October.
• Traficom has a positive overall view of Tesla's system.

Finland's transport authority, Traficom, indicated on Tuesday that it may approve Tesla's self-driving assistance system ahead of a European Union-wide decision anticipated in October. The Netherlands was the first European nation to grant provisional approval for Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in April, a step that could lead to an EU-wide rollout if supported by a qualified majority of member states. Estonia and Belgium have since permitted the technology. Traficom stated it is prepared to expedite its review after the summer, provided it obtains necessary additional information on key assessment areas. These include how quickly drivers can retake control, the system's performance during overtaking in low-visibility conditions on Finnish roads, and its speed offset feature, which has raised concerns in neighboring Sweden and Norway. The agency conveyed a generally positive view of the system. An EU-wide committee vote is expected in October, with further member state discussions scheduled for June 30. Approximately 6,500 cars in Finland, representing about 0.24% of the country's 2.7 million passenger vehicles, are equipped with the system. Traficom noted that while Tesla's FSD requires human supervision and is not considered fully autonomous, genuine self-driving vehicles might appear on Finnish roads as early as 2028.