Tesla’s ambitious timeline for launching its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in China may hit a snag. While the electric vehicle giant announced last month that it expected to roll out FSD in China by the first quarter of 2025, recent reports suggest that this timeline might be optimistic.
According to CnEV Post, citing local media, Tesla is yet to receive regulatory approval from Chinese authorities to introduce FSD features in the country. The company is currently seeking permission to gather specific data independently to enhance its autonomous driving system. While the Chinese government has expressed partial support for trial testing FSD functions in certain cities, official approval is still pending.
Data security has emerged as a significant stumbling block for Tesla’s FSD rollout in China. Two individuals close to the company revealed that this issue has been a major hurdle. In response, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has proposed granting direct access to certain non-sensitive video data to help train the Autopilot system.
Despite these hurdles, Tesla remains steadfast in its commitment to launching FSD in China and Europe, pending approval from regulatory authorities. This commitment is highlighted by the recent reintroduction of a limited-time offer in China for customers to transfer their original FSD for free to a new vehicle. This offer, available to Chinese customers who purchased Tesla vehicles before December 31st, aims to incentivize early adopters and demonstrate Tesla’s confidence in the future of FSD in the Chinese market.
The development of FSD in China is closely watched as it represents a significant milestone in the global adoption of autonomous driving technologies. The challenges faced by Tesla highlight the complex interplay between technological innovation, regulatory approval, and data security concerns in this rapidly evolving field.