Tesla’s efforts to expand FSD testing across Europe have encountered resistance in Sweden, where Stockholm’s transport authority has denied Tesla’s request to test its autonomous driving system on public roads. Rejection comes despite Tesla conducting FSD testing in other European cities including Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome.
This setback adds to Tesla’s ongoing challenges in Sweden, where labor disputes have created additional operational hurdles for the electric vehicle manufacturer since October 2023.
A document from the City of Stockholm reveals the transport authority’s decision to deny Tesla’s FSD testing request. City’s Traffic Office cited several factors behind the rejection, including current resource constraints and infrastructure concerns.
A document from the City of Stockholm reveals the transport authority’s decision to deny Tesla’s FSD testing request.
“At the moment, the city and the office are under significant pressure from other ongoing innovation trials,” the official statement explains. “Our goal is to actively engage in and learn from the ongoing development of automation.”
Stockholm’s authorities expressed specific concerns about potential risks to infrastructure and third parties. The city noted that Tesla’s proposal would represent the first such test spanning the entire metropolitan area.
“Given that this is the first time such a test is being proposed — and one that would span the entire city — Stockholm believes that we are currently unable to approve its implementation,” the document states.
Despite the Stockholm rejection, Tesla continues advancing its FSD testing across Europe. Omead Afshar, Tesla’s Vice President of North American and European Operations confirmed ongoing testing in multiple major cities.
“FSD testing is ongoing in Europe – including navigating the Arc de Triomphe! We’re testing in cities including Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome,” the executive announced via social media.
Omead Afshar: “FSD testing is ongoing in Europe – including navigating the Arc de Triomphe!”
Tesla has showcased its FSD system’s ability to handle complex European traffic scenarios. Tesla successful navigation of Paris’s Arc de Triomphe roundabout.
“FSD Supervised can handle Arc de Triomphe no problem. If there is a bigger roundabout in France, please let us know in the comments,” Tesla Europe official posted on X, demonstrating confidence in the system’s capabilities.
Tesla’s FSD testing rejection occurs within a broader context of labor disputes that have affected the company’s Swedish operations since October 2023. Swedish labor unions have implemented strikes and boycotts targeting Tesla’s refusal to comply with union demands.
These labor actions have extended beyond direct operations, hindering Tesla’s plans to expand its Supercharger network across Sweden. Ongoing dispute creates additional regulatory and operational challenges for Tesla’s autonomous driving ambitions in the country.
The labor disputes have specifically affected Tesla’s Supercharger network expansion, which could indirectly impact FSD testing logistics. Adequate charging infrastructure supports extended testing programs that require vehicles to operate across wide geographic areas.
Tesla’s continued resistance to union demands suggests the company prioritizes operational autonomy over potential regulatory cooperation that might facilitate FSD testing approval.
Interestingly, Tesla’s sales performance in Sweden remains strong despite regulatory and labor challenges. Tesla’s refreshed Model Y has achieved significant market success, becoming Sweden’s best-selling electric vehicle as of early May.
This commercial success creates an interesting dynamic where consumer acceptance contrasts with institutional resistance to Tesla’s autonomous driving technology testing.
The disconnect between consumer acceptance and regulatory approval highlights the complexity of Tesla’s European expansion strategy.
Tesla’s European FSD testing operates under a “pending regulatory approval” status across multiple markets. Tesla’s ability to secure formal approvals will determine the pace of FSD rollout beyond current testing phases.
Stockholm’s rejection doesn’t necessarily indicate broader European resistance, but it demonstrates the varied regulatory landscape Tesla must navigate for continental FSD deployment.
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