Across the United States regulators are planning a wide safety review of about 2.4 million Tesla vehicles. Reuters reports on the scope of the investigation, which focuses on cars equipped with autonomous driving features. The effort comes after a series of incidents involving Tesla electric vehicles and their automated systems, raising questions about how well these machines protect pedestrians and other road users. The review aims to determine whether safety gaps exist that would warrant corrective action by manufacturers or regulators. By examining the performance data, hardware reliability, software updates, and real life crash scenarios, authorities hope to build a clear picture of risk and responsibility that can guide future policy and policing.
The inquiry covers vehicles with an unmanned driving function. After several accidents, investigators ordered diagnostic checks to determine if the Autopilot or other autonomous features contributed to harm or vehicle failure. In one incident, a Tesla operating with Autopilot struck a pedestrian who did not survive, a tragic incident that intensified scrutiny of driver assistance systems and the assumptions drivers make about their cars.
Officials warned that if inspections reveal an unreasonable safety risk, regulators could require recalls and remove affected models from sale until safety defects are addressed.
Earlier, California police raised operational concerns about using Teslas in enforcement work. They noted difficulties for officers to enter and exit the vehicles, and that the back seats typically accommodate only a single detainee, complicating arrests and police logistics. They also cited limited driving range and the danger of waiting for a vehicle to recharge with a suspect inside, especially during urgent pursuits.
California plans to ban the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars starting in 2035. In August, local police purchased several Tesla Model 3 sedans for use in patrol and other duties, spending around 150 thousand dollars, with roughly 35 thousand dollars allocated for related police vehicle upgrades.
Previously Elon Musk announced a prototype unmanned robotaxi, signaling a push toward autonomous transport in everyday life.