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Tesla has renamed its “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)” software to “Tesla Assisted Driving” on its European websites as the electric vehicle maker seeks wider regulatory approval for the technology across the European Union.
The change follows concerns from regulators that the previous name could mislead consumers into believing the vehicles were fully autonomous, Reuters reported on Friday.
Tesla’s websites in Germany, Spain, Slovakia and the Netherlands have adopted the new name, while its US website continues to use “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)”.
Germany’s Transport Ministry said the former name was misleading because the system does not take over the entire driving task. Drivers must remain attentive and are legally responsible for controlling their vehicles.
German Transport Minister Steffen Bilger said Tesla had proposed the name change during discussions in September. He has indicated support for pursuing approval of the system across the EU.
Regulators in Sweden and Italy have also raised concerns about Tesla’s marketing, warning that the name could give consumers a false impression of the software’s capabilities.
Despite its name, the system requires active driver supervision. It can assist with steering, acceleration and braking, but does not make the vehicle fully autonomous.
Eight EU countries currently permit the technology, with Slovakia expected to become the ninth. However, a vote on wider EU approval has been postponed until at least December as some countries, including France, conduct further testing.
Tesla has also encouraged owners and supporters to contact national authorities in support of faster approval.
The rebranding marks a step in the company’s efforts to expand its driver-assistance technology in Europe, where regulatory scrutiny over safety, marketing claims and driving capabilities remains a significant hurdle.
