Tesla is pushing to get approval for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in Europe as quickly as possible. The American carmaker is reported to be working closely with European regulators, especially in the Netherlands, while presenting safety arguments that some researchers say are not fully supported by data. A Reuters investigation has uncovered details about Tesla's efforts to influence the approval process, which has significant implications for countries like France. According to the Reuters investigation, which reviewed hundreds of pages of communications between Tesla and various national authorities, the company has used various tactics to convince regulators. In the Netherlands, the RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer), the local agency responsible for vehicle homologation, has given its approval for FSD, which could pave the way for an EU-wide approval. However, the documents obtained by Reuters raise concerns about the process. In April 2025, the Dutch regulator sent Tesla a bill for 365,000 euros covering five months of work from November 2024 to March 2025. Tesla found this amount too high and refused to pay until the RDW provided a detailed breakdown of the work, costs, and qualifications of the personnel involved. A week later, the RDW suggested reducing or adjusting some checks to cut costs, which has led to questions about the independence of the homologation process. Tesla's efforts went beyond just contesting the costs. The company also requested advance details about specific tests and required that these be delayed until it gave its written approval. However, the safety claims made by Tesla are under scrutiny. While the company often argues that FSD could prevent many accidents and save lives, seven road safety researchers consulted by Reuters believe the European data Tesla has presented do not support these claims. The internal study relies heavily on indirect indicators, such as sudden braking, rapid acceleration, or the use of the horn. Another issue is that the vehicles equipped with FSD were driven by professionals familiar with the system, making it unclear whether FSD actually reduces fatal accidents. The investigation also reveals that Tesla's influence extends beyond direct negotiations with regulators. During a shareholders' meeting in November 2025, Elon Musk encouraged European Tesla owners to pressure their governments to speed up the approval of FSD. Reuters obtained dozens of messages sent to officials in Sweden and Norway. Some drivers repeated Tesla’s arguments, accusing authorities of endangering lives by delaying the system's deployment. A Norwegian official admitted that this campaign forced his office to spend significant time responding to what he described as uninformed drivers. Elon Musk has also been exerting pressure on France. This campaign has crossed national borders, with Musk directly criticizing French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot after the minister expressed concerns about FSD's deployment. Musk argued that delays in approval would cost lives. Since then, the French minister's position has shifted. In September, Tabarot mentioned having constructive discussions with Musk and outlined possible modifications that could allow France to support the homologation. It remains unclear if Tabarot’s stance was influenced by Musk’s interventions. Germany is also showing support for Tesla. In particular, Tesla has gained a major ally in German Transport Minister Steffen Bilger, who announced in October 2026 his intention to accelerate the FSD homologation at the European level. After several discussions with the company in September, Berlin believes a consensus has been reached on technical and regulatory issues. This development is favorable for Musk, who praised the announcement on X. The agreement also allows the system to exceed speed limits by up to 10 percent, a point that had previously been debated. Tesla has also proposed renaming the system "Tesla Assisted Driving," a term that may be less misleading than "Full Self-Driving" and could help reassure European authorities. In summary, with support from Germany and a shift in the French position, Tesla appears to be in a strong position in its pursuit of European homologation. However, no final decision has been made. The initial vote scheduled for October has been postponed and is expected to take place no earlier than December 2026. The situation remains to be closely followed.