Tesla recently launched FSD in China, making it the first region outside North America to receive the feature via a software update. This marks a major milestone for Tesla, which has been working diligently to gain regulatory approval outside of North America.
Both China and Europe were key targets on Tesla’s Autonomy Roadmap, with the company aiming to roll out FSD in these regions by Q1 2025—pending regulatory approval.
Regulatory Issues
Elon Musk recently confirmed on X that FSD is ready for Europe—Tesla is just waiting on regulatory approval. However, securing approval could be challenging, as the process is overseen by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which sets regulations for the entire EU.
While the UNECE has fast-tracked some advancements—such as adaptive and matrix high-beams (soon available in the U.S.), its approach to autonomy has been far more cautious. The commission has consistently slowed the deployment of self-driving technology and even reduced the capabilities of Autopilot.
Adding to the challenge, the UNECE body responsible for vehicle autonomy meets infrequently, sometimes with months between sessions. The next meeting is scheduled for March 4, but autonomy is not yet on the agenda, meaning approval could still be a long way off.
We are waiting for regulatory approval - Musk
Regulation 157
UNECE Regulation 157 governs “Automated Lane Keeping Systems” (ALKS), similar to Autopilot or lane-keeping cruise control in other vehicles. This regulation imposes strict limits, including speed restrictions and requiring driver confirmation for every autonomous decision.
While approving a lane change with a tap on the screen or steering wheel might seem minor, imagine having to do so for every FSD action—speed adjustments, turns, stops, starts, and more.
Additionally, Regulation 157 only permits autonomy in areas where pedestrian traffic is physically separated from vehicles. This means that many highways without clear barriers would be off-limits for autonomous driving.
Hope on the Horizon
There’s still hope—if the UNECE amends Regulation 157, over 50 nations, including the EU and Japan, could open the door for FSD.
A step in the right direction came with the 2024 adoption of UN Regulation 171, which expanded the framework for driver-assist systems that don’t fully take over control—such as FSD (Supervised).
While regulatory changes take time, the momentum is building. As technology advances rapidly, it’s only a matter of time before the rules catch up.
Tesla has made a software-related change to the Cybertruck’s wiper to improve tackling the buildup of salt and road grime on the windshield. If you’ve driven the Cybertruck in regions that salt their roads, you’ve likely experienced this firsthand. The image above shows the author’s truck after 90 minutes of highway driving.
This issue arises because the Cybertruck’s powerful single wiper doesn’t always spray enough windshield wiper fluid to break down all the salt kicked up by other vehicles. At highway speeds, salt accumulates rapidly, and it’s even possible for the Cybertruck’s forward camera cluster to get blocked, which may trigger a request for the driver to take over.
More Fluid
The solution to this issue is simple: apply more fluid to the windshield to help break up the salt, which the Giga wiper can then wipe away. Currently, washer fluid is only sprayed during downstrokes, and holding down the wiper button just repeats the cycle. However, according to a post on X by Wes Morril, Cybertruck’s Lead Engineer, that’s about to change.
With the upcoming software update 2025.2.8, which is expected to roll out to Cybertruck owners in the next few days, Tesla has introduced a new feature for the washer button. Now, holding down the button for two full cycles (two sweeps of the wiper) will continuously soak the windshield. This means you’ll be able to apply double the amount of fluid — on upward and downward wiper strokes.
This is a highly requested improvement, particularly from Cybertruck owners in regions where road salt is frequently used during winter. While the winter season is nearing its end in much of North America, this update will be a welcomed improvement for next year’s colder months.
Thanks for the feedback - If you hold the wash button through 2 cycles the wiper will now continuously soak your windshield, effectively doubling the amount of fluid dispensed. This helps with the stubborn road salt when needed and maintains the quick cleaning functionality for… https://t.co/wEqs9uLpBB
After just recently confirming that Robotaxi and Cybercab are on track to deploy to Austin, Texas in June, Tesla has submitted an application to provide robotaxi services in California.
Bloomberg reports that the application was made late last year for a “transportation charger-party carrier permit” with the California Public Utilities Commission. That permit specifically allows Tesla to own and control a fleet of vehicles.
Robotaxi Fleet… But Supervised?
Interestingly, it was also confirmed by California’s Department of Motor Vehicles that Tesla has not made an application for driverless testing or deployment yet. Instead - they have a permit to operate and test autonomous vehicles with safety drivers. Tesla confirmed at their We, Robot autonomy event that they were testing robotaxies with safety drivers in Los Angeles already - so this isn’t a surprise.
The application with the Public Utilities Commission also details driver license requirements and drug testing protocols - which suggests that Tesla is really set on introducing their ride hailing service with safety drivers to start.
This means that Tesla will have to file an application to allow Cybercabs or other Tesla vehicles in their robotaxi fleet to drive autonomously in California. Given that the Cybercab itself doesn’t have a steering wheel or pedals - it seems likely that Tesla will continue using Model Y’s for this deployment.
Why not Autonomous?
This instead seems to be a ride-hailing service that uses FSD (Supervised) rather than FSD (Unsupervised). This could be a strategy for Tesla to break into the ride-hailing market, as they intend to offer these rides in California for free.
Offering free rides with FSD (Supervised) is a great way to introduce people to self driving. People are naturally cautious, and sometimes even afraid of autonomy - especially when they’re coming from ICE vehicles which likely had basic cruise control as their only form of driver assistance.
This also allows Tesla an opportunity to test the deployment and user experience of their ride hailing service from front to back. That means from the initial tap in the Tesla App to summon your ride, loading up and stepping in, and arriving at your destination and getting out. And what better way to receive detailed feedback on the entire process than with a human in the front seat?
This seems to just be an initial step for Tesla - who has said they intend to roll out Robotaxi services with extreme caution. They need to be confident that the potential of injury or an accident is extremely low before they allow fully autonomous vehicles out and about in public.
The standard for safety with autonomous vehicles is extremely high. A single incident - even a minor one - will get worldwide headlines. Tesla will need to achieve and demonstrate a safety level far and above the average human driver before people start to accept being moved around in autonomous vehicles.
All in all, this is exciting. While it isn’t the fully autonomous Cybercabs that will soon be prowling the streets of Austin, it is still a demonstration of Tesla’s autonomy and their path forward in regions which are a bit more restrictive in how much autonomy they allow.
![Tesla Launches FSD in China: First Look [Video]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/fsd-beta/china/6cf4975c-22ff-4722-9d07-314a6bd67072_1_201_a.jpeg/29909b90cf00c415243e156becfc2992/6cf4975c-22ff-4722-9d07-314a6bd67072_1_201_a.jpg)
