French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot recently stated that France opposes the deployment of the current version of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver-assistance system on EU roads, citing concerns over vehicle speeding and driver inattention. This marks the first time a European Union member state has publicly opposed the technology’s broader rollout across the bloc. Tabarot noted that despite various technical improvements to FSD, existing safety assessments remain insufficient to justify its approval. He added that France is continuing technical discussions on the matter with the Netherlands and other EU countries. Earlier this year, the Dutch Vehicle Authority granted temporary approval for FSD use in the Netherlands in April, followed by similar approvals from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, and Lithuania. The EU plans to hold a vote this autumn on whether to authorize the technology for use across the entire union. In response to France’s stance, Tesla CEO Elon Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter) that delaying FSD approval in France would cost more lives. The Dutch Vehicle Authority has not yet responded to France’s opposition. The FSD system can autonomously control a vehicle’s acceleration, braking, and steering but still requires drivers to remain ready to take over at any moment. The software is a key selling point and revenue source for Tesla. Following a sales decline in 2023, Tesla’s new vehicle registrations in Europe have been gradually recovering, with FSD seen as a critical factor in driving further sales growth.