Tesla faces scrutiny by German regulator over autopilot feature

Tesla's driver-assistance technology is being reviewed by German road authorities, adding to its regulatory hurdles over how safe its software. — dpa/AFP

Tesla Inc. faces a review in Germany over an Autopilot feature, as regulatory scrutiny intensifies into the carmaker’s driver-assistance technology.

Germany’s federal motor vehicle office KBA is investigating Tesla’s automated lane-change function and whether it’s approved for use in Europe, Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported on Sunday, citing a spokesman for the agency.

The KBA is also in contact with the Netherlands’ vehicle agency, which is responsible for approving Tesla cars in Europe, according to Bild.

Increased regulatory scrutiny is posing a risk to Tesla’s commercialisation of automated-vehicle technology. Last week, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened its second probe into a possible Autopilot defect.

The electric-car maker has drawn criticism over issues including how it branded the systems and whether it does enough to safeguard against inattentiveness and misuse.

The latest development in Germany adds to the regulatory hurdles Tesla is facing in the country. Progress at its first European factory, in a site near Berlin, has been slower than expected amid a backlash from environmental groups concerned about water use and wildlife.

Tesla and KBA weren’t immediately available for comment outside normal business hours. – Bloomberg