EU Vote on Tesla FSD Systems Could Pave Way for Israeli Approval

The European Union is set to vote on October 6 on whether to approve Tesla's advanced driver-assistance systems, known as FSD (Full Self-Driving). This vote, requested by Tesla, requires a majority of 15 out of 27 member states. If approved by the EU, the systems would technically be permitted for use in Israel, which generally aligns its regulations with European standards. This development comes as Israel's Transportation Minister, Miri Regev, has pledged to enable FSD systems for Tesla owners in the country. However, a significant hurdle remains in Israel regarding the taxation of these advanced driving systems, which has not yet been resolved.

While FSD systems are already operational in the United States, a recent incident in Arizona highlighted potential risks. A Tesla operating in FSD mode braked suddenly on a highway, leading to a rear-end collision by a truck that resulted in the driver's death.

In Europe, FSD systems are undergoing experimental trials in countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Estonia, and Latvia. However, a Reuters investigation into the Dutch trials alleged that data presented to regulators was falsified, and Dutch regulators have declined to release their findings. In preparation for the EU approval process, Tesla released preliminary data suggesting that vehicles equipped with FSD were involved in a quarter of the accidents compared to Teslas without the system, based on over 100 million kilometers driven between April and August of this year.