Tesla's application for FSD testing in Stockholm was turned down, contrary to assumptions, for unfamiliar causes
Tesla's request to test its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in supervised mode on city streets in Stockholm, Sweden, has been denied. The city's Traffic Office cited safety concerns and ongoing regulatory compliance issues as the reason for the rejection.
The city's Traffic Office is currently updating its approach to automation and is grappling with a prolonged dispute with Swedish labour unions, which has triggered sympathy strikes affecting service operations and causing delays in opening new Supercharger stations.
Stockholm requires permits for such testing, which Tesla applied for but was denied despite advocacy from Tesla owners and supporters urging the city to reconsider. Unlike the U.S., where manufacturers like Tesla can self-certify technology compliance, Europe's regulatory system demands a more rigorous independent approval process called homologation before autonomous driving tech can be commercially deployed.
The city prioritizes public safety until the technology meets stringent standards, while advocates argue that delayed deployment impedes innovation and life-saving advances. The proposed Tesla test would have been the first of its kind in Stockholm, planned to be carried out throughout the entire city.
Many European countries are hesitant about advanced driver assistance technologies and are delaying city-wide testing until more comprehensive regulatory frameworks are in place. The city assesses that it is currently not possible to approve the implementation of the Tesla FSD test due to potential risks to infrastructure and third parties.
Tesla has conducted demonstrations of FSD in Norway, Germany, Italy, and other parts of the region, but public testing has yet to take place. Last year, Tesla demonstrated FSD to a Swedish transportation official, but that test took place in Germany. There are no regulatory barriers to the release of FSD in Australia.
China has approved FSD deployments under a different name. The Traffic Office is currently too busy with ongoing innovation projects to accommodate the proposed Tesla test, given the existing pilot programs already underway.
For those interested in Tesla's FSD, a referral link is provided that can be used to get three months of FSD if you are buying a Tesla and enjoy our content and it helped in your decision. However, due to the rejection in Stockholm, it remains unclear when or where Tesla's FSD will be publicly tested next.
Delays in Sweden have also resulted in customers receiving delays in receiving license plates for their new cars, adding to the challenges faced by Tesla in the region. The company continues to advocate for the approval of its FSD testing in Stockholm and other cities across Europe, prioritising the advancement of autonomous driving technology while ensuring public safety and regulatory compliance.
Despite the denial of Tesla's request to test its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in Stockholm, due to safety concerns and ongoing regulatory issues, the company continues to advocate for approval in various European cities. The city's Traffic Office, engaged in innovation projects and ongoing disputes with labor unions, currently favors rigorous standards in autonomous driving technology, especially in light of the potential risks to infrastructure and third parties.
