Germany backs Tesla driver assistance tech for EU approval

As part of the agreement, Germany will support a 10% speed-offset function for the system, allowing it to slightly exceed posted speed limits. This approach is a point of contention, as some EU countries and safety advocates argue it should be removed before approval. Tesla has also offered to rename the system 'Tesla Assisted Driving' to address concerns that its current name is misleading.

Several EU countries, including Sweden and France, have expressed reservations about the speed-offset feature. Consequently, an EU vote on the technology, initially scheduled for October, has been postponed to at least December, with some nations conducting additional tests. The Europe-specific version of the system, approved earlier this year by Dutch regulators, excluded certain US features but retained a function that can increase the vehicle's maximum speed significantly above the detected limit.

Tesla views approval of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology as crucial for boosting sales in Europe, where it faces increasing competition. The company has reportedly engaged in intensive lobbying efforts to secure EU approval, despite ongoing concerns from safety experts and several member states. Experts who reviewed Tesla's methodology for Reuters found no evidence to support the company's claims of the technology being life-saving.