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Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously admitted that HW3 vehicles won’t be able to deliver full self-driving capabilities without major hardware upgrades.
China’s updated regulations demand greater scrutiny over car software updates, particularly those affecting safety.
Tesla has suddenly stopped its free trial of the “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) package in China, following stricter government rules on software updates for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), as per Softonic.
The company had launched the FSD package last month for cars with its latest Hardware 4.0 (HW4), hoping to encourage owners to try it through an over-the-air update. However, the rollout has now been paused due to the new regulations.
Tesla Works on Gaining Approval for HW3 and HW4
Tesla’s Vice-President for China, Grace Tao, shared the update on Weibo, thanking customers for their support. She explained that the government now requires detailed technical information before any software updates can be made.
The new rules, called the “Notice on Further Strengthening the Management of Access, Recall and Online Software Upgrade of Intelligent Connected Vehicle Products,” demand that carmakers report any incidents linked to self-driving features. These regulations also tighten the process for software-related recalls, ensuring higher safety standards for drivers.
Despite these challenges, Tao confirmed that Tesla is actively working to gain regulatory approval for both Hardware 3.0 (HW3) and HW4. Once approved, updates will be sent to customers as soon as possible.
Hardware Upgrades Needed for Full Autonomy
Elon Musk recently acknowledged that HW3 vehicles are not capable of achieving fully autonomous driving without human supervision. He stated that significant hardware upgrades will be necessary to reach that level of self-driving capability.
As Tesla navigates these regulatory changes, the company remains committed to safety, transparency, and compliance in the growing Chinese market.
