Tesla’s timeline for launching its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature in China may face further delays, according to a report from China Daily. While the company had initially projected a rollout in the first quarter of 2025, sources familiar with the situation suggest that this timeline may not be achievable.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk mentioned during an earnings call in July that regulatory approval for FSD in markets such as China and Europe might be granted by the end of this year. However, on September 5, Tesla’s AI team indicated on social media platform X that the launch in these regions was still contingent upon regulatory approval.
As it stands, Tesla has yet to receive the necessary regulatory approval from Chinese authorities to deploy FSD features. The company is currently seeking permission to gather data to enhance its autonomous driving capabilities. Reports indicate that Tesla’s proposal is under review, with authorities evaluating it based on various criteria, including technology, data security, and compliance with local laws.
Despite the lack of official approval, some sources claim that the Chinese government may support trial tests of FSD features in select cities. Data security concerns remain a significant barrier to a full-scale rollout. Musk has proposed granting direct access to non-sensitive video data to facilitate the training of the Autopilot system. Additionally, he suggested that a dedicated government team could oversee this data to ensure its security.
Since 2021, Tesla has complied with China’s geodata regulations by storing all data collected from its Chinese vehicles domestically and collaborating with local firms for data collection to enhance its driver assistance systems.
All Tesla vehicles in China come equipped with the free Basic Autopilot (BAP) software, and while FSD is not yet available, it can be purchased for a one-time fee of RMB 64,000 ($8,980). Tesla also offers Enhanced Autopilot (EAP) at half the price of FSD.
Recently, Tesla reopened a limited-time window in China, allowing customers who purchased vehicles before December 31 to transfer their original FSD to a new vehicle free of charge. This window had previously run from February 7 to March 31.
