Tesla’s ambitious goal to introduce Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology to China appears to be facing a stumbling block. While the electric car giant had planned to launch in the first quarter of 2025, recent sources imply that regulatory constraints may cause delays.
Tesla’s FSD is a set of features that boost driving automation, allowing vehicles to handle highways, city streets, and parking lots with minimal driver assistance. While not entirely autonomous, FSD is an important step toward Tesla’s eventual aim of self-driving automobiles. Tesla faces worries from Chinese regulators due to its reliance on large volumes of data for training and operations.
Data security is a top priority for all governments, and the Chinese government is no exception. Tesla’s FSD requires substantial driving data, including video footage, to function properly. Chinese regulators are doing a thorough examination of Tesla’s data collection processes to verify compliance with local laws and regulations.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving assurance
According to sources cited by China Daily, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has proposed providing Chinese authorities with direct access to non-sensitive video footage acquired by Tesla vehicles. Musk has also urged the development of a dedicated government team to examine and secure this data. It appears that Chinese officials have yet to respond to these ideas, signaling a potential stumbling block in Tesla’s FSD deployment plans.
Despite these hurdles, Tesla is still dedicated to bringing FSD to China. The corporation has been actively communicating with Chinese authorities and has already taken steps to comply with local data requirements. Since 2021, all data acquired by Tesla vehicles in China has been held within the country, and the company has been working with Chinese companies to support its driver-assistance systems.
Currently, all Tesla vehicles in China are equipped with basic autopilot software, which includes adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance. While FSD is not yet publicly accessible, Chinese clients can buy it for RMB 64,000 ($8,980) upfront. Tesla also provides Enhanced Autopilot in China for half the price of FSD.
