Summary
Authorization of autonomous driving in Switzerland in 2025
Switzerland has announced that from March 2025, it will allow autonomous driving on its territory. This development is particularly promising for the deployment of Tesla’s Full Self Driving (FSD) system in Europe. Alongside its innovations in electric vehicles and charging stations, Tesla heavily focuses on driving automation. The Cybercab model, without a steering wheel or pedals, is the ultimate symbol, although Tesla models equipped with this technology are already in circulation in the United States.
Authorized application cases
From March 1, 2025, three specific application scenarios will be allowed in Switzerland. Firstly, cars will be authorized to park automatically in specially designated spaces indicated by cantonal and communal authorities. This possibility will extend the use of Tesla’s “Actually Smart Summon” (ASS), which is currently very limited in Europe.
Next, highway driving will be permitted without the driver needing to be vigilant. We are thus reaching level 3 of autonomous driving, a stage already in place in Germany, and to a lesser extent in France, although very restricted regarding the maximum authorized speed.
Finally, Switzerland plans the use of driverless autonomous vehicles on public roads, similar to Waymo taxis in the United States. Applications will include transporting goods and passengers, but only on specific road segments regulated by the Federal Roads Office (OFROU).
Potential impact on European legislation
With the date of March 1, 2025, Tesla’s roadmap coincides with the timeline set for deployment in Europe. However, it remains to be seen whether other European countries will follow Switzerland’s example. Germany shows similar progress, but France is advancing more cautiously. Switzerland, although outside the European Union, could influence continental acceptance.
Questions around FSD capabilities
The capability of FSD in Europe raises questions: will it be as efficient as in the United States, or will there be limitations? How will it compare to the technologies of Mercedes-Benz or BMW? Answers should arrive in the coming months, shedding light on the future of autonomous driving in Europe.
