Tesla makes some of the most popular electric cars in the world and many people often think these vehicles can drive themselves completely. Much of that belief comes from the names Tesla uses for its technology. But the state of California decided that these names are not quite right. After a long fight, Tesla is finally changing how it talks about its driver assistance tools in the Golden State.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles has been watching Tesla closely. For a long time, the DMV argued that the term “Autopilot” made people think the car did all the work. To avoid a serious penalty, Tesla stopped using “Autopilot” as a marketing term in California. If the company did not listen, the state threatened to stop Tesla from doing business there for 30 days.
The DMV first raised its concerns back in 2023. They felt that the names “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” promised more than the cars could actually do. Tesla tried to keep the names for a while, but the pressure worked. Now, when you look at their website, you will see a small but important change. The company added the word “Supervised” to its “Full Self-Driving” software. It is now called “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)” to remind drivers that they must still pay attention.
The change in wording matches a change in how Tesla sells its electric cars. Last month, the company stopped making Autopilot a standard feature on its new vehicles. Instead, Tesla wants buyers to pay for a subscription to the more expensive version. By changing the names and the sales model, Tesla hopes to follow California’s rules while still making money from its tech. Steve Gordon, the director of the California DMV, says the company has finally done what is needed to protect buyers.
Tesla might be famous for its tech, but it is not the only player in the game. Last year, Consumer Reports tested autonomous systems to see which ones worked best. Surprisingly, Tesla did not win. It actually came in eighth place. Other brands like Ford, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW all had better scores. Even Toyota, Volkswagen, and Nissan beat Tesla in the ranking.
Experts say the Tesla system is not as perfect as it might seem. Kelly Funkhouser from Consumer Reports noted that the software does not always live up to the hype. When a car has a name like “Autopilot,” a driver might feel tempted to look at their phone or take a nap. We only need to look up many videos online to realize this isn’t a far-fetched scenario.
The latest data shows why these warnings are necessary. Tesla shared some safety reports with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The reports looked at a small group of Tesla robotaxis during December and January. During those two months, the cars were involved in five crashes. This might not sound like a lot, but the math tells a different story – these autonomous cars crashed four times more often than the average human driver does over the same distance.
The data suggests that even the best electric cars still need a human touch. Driving is a complicated task that requires quick thinking. Tesla continues to improve its software, but the new names in California serve as a reality check. You can enjoy the high-tech features of your new vehicle, but you cannot treat it like a private chauffeur just yet.
