RDW is indirectly related to ETSC: No, we didn’t rely on Tesla’s promises regarding FSD. Over 1.8 million kilometers and 1,000 experiments

The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) is calling for independent tests of FSD (Supervised) Full Self-Driving Capability, while the Dutch RDW… has already conducted such tests. During a speech at the European Parliament, the Dutch transport minister revealed that the organization has traveled over 1.8 million kilometers on roads in the Old Continent using Tesla’s FSD (Supervised) system. It has also carried out more than 1,000 experiments based on its own rigorous scenarios.

RDW rejected FSD on principle

The Dutch Road Traffic Authority (RDW) is an organization that continuously certifies various solutions and new vehicle models from manufacturers, which makes it reluctant to appear in the media. Its representatives have only spoken out under exceptional circumstances, usually in general terms, to avoid accidentally revealing company secrets. The detailed information above comes from RDW, but it was Vincent Karremans, the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, who explained it.

It turns out that RDW did not approve FSD (Supervised) simply because Tesla promised everything would be fine. Extensive testing was conducted, with over 1.8 million kilometers driven on European roads. The vehicles were involved in normal traffic conditions as well as during extreme weather events. FSD (Supervised) was tested in cities and on highways, and the organization also carried out 1,000 self-designed tests, likely to check the electronics under unusual conditions.

FSD (Supervised) in Amsterdam; illustrative photo (c) Steven Peeters and Kees Roelandschap / YouTube

RDW had its own data collection instruments and did not rely on manufacturer declarations. To date, nearly 40,000 Teslas with FSD (Supervised) have covered 24 million kilometers without any significant incidents. This amounts to an average of 600 kilometers per vehicle. Karremans agreed that Tesla’s data could be questioned, but noted it had no impact on the organization’s decision. According to him, vehicles driven by FSD (Supervised) pose no threat on the roads.

Karremans showed no interest in discussing matters with ETSC.

An intervention while driving in Amsterdam. FSD (Supervised) either tried to avoid a pigeon or simply drove onto a bike lane, which it was not allowed to do (c) Steven Peeters and Kees Roelandschap / YouTube

A note from Elektrowozu’s editorial team: It’s delightful to read that a politician shows trust in an organization that has been working in this field for decades.

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