Tesla Owner's Advocacy Drives FSD Transfer Policy Shift, Pushes for Stockholm Approval Amid Regulatory Hurdles

Alexander Kristensen, a dedicated Tesla owner and advocate in Sweden, has become a pivotal figure in the push to bring Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology to European roads. His efforts have already yielded a significant win for European Tesla owners, as the company recently announced that FSD capabilities can now be transferred to new vehicles—a policy shift that aligns with his persistent lobbying. However, Kristensen’s broader mission to deploy FSD in Sweden, particularly in Stockholm, remains a work in progress, highlighting the complex interplay between innovation, regulation, and public safety debates.

Kristensen’s journey began in 2021 when he invested nearly $8,000 for the FSD feature on his Model 3 Performance. Like many European Tesla owners, he found himself unable to use the technology due to regulatory restrictions. Frustrated by the gap between payment and functionality, he turned to Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk directly, leveraging his active presence in the Tesla online community. His proposal to enable FSD transfer between vehicles resonated with Musk, leading to the July 2025 policy update across Europe and the Middle East. This change, while limited to ownership flexibility, underscores the influence of passionate customers in shaping corporate strategies.

With this victory in hand, Kristensen shifted focus to his next challenge: persuading Stockholm’s municipal authorities to approve FSD testing. The city recently rejected Tesla’s application, citing safety concerns linked to accidents in other regions and Tesla’s own data. Kristensen argues that delaying FSD deployment could be riskier, as the technology has the potential to reduce traffic fatalities when used responsibly. He points to successful FSD trials in cities like Amsterdam, Paris, and Madrid as precedents, emphasizing the similarity of European road conditions compared to the U.S. “Every day that regulators keep saying they don’t trust the system, people can die,” he asserts, framing the debate as a race against time to collect safety-critical data.

Sweden’s regulatory landscape complicates the rollout. Unlike the U.S., where self-certification allows manufacturers to vouch for compliance with standards, European regulations require a rigorous homologation process to ensure safety and environmental compliance. This system, governed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), prioritizes liability protections for manufacturers but has slowed the adoption of advanced driving technologies. Kristensen acknowledges these hurdles but insists that progress is possible through incremental testing and public education. He has already amplified his cause via media appearances and social media campaigns, including a high-profile visit to Austin to experience Tesla’s robotaxi fleet firsthand.

Despite his optimism, Kristensen faces pushback from local authorities and industry competitors. Stockholm’s traffic officials acknowledge the value of innovation but cite resource constraints as a barrier to immediate FSD testing. Meanwhile, Kristensen’s advocacy in a region dominated by traditional automakers like Volvo adds a layer of complexity. He notes that Gothenburg, Volvo’s global headquarters, is less likely to approve FSD due to its strong ties to legacy automotive interests. For now, Stockholm remains the focal point of his efforts, with municipal elections in 2026 offering a potential opportunity to sway policy decisions.

Elon Musk’s involvement remains a double-edged sword. While Kristensen’s posts occasionally gain visibility through Musk’s endorsements—such as a recent tweet highlighting Tesla’s sales in Norway—Musk’s political alliances in Europe have generated skepticism. Kristensen himself has not sought direct support from Tesla, preferring to rely on grassroots advocacy. “If I commit to something, I will stick to it. Either I do it to a hundred percent or not at all,” he says, underscoring his personal stake in the campaign. As debates over FSD continue, Kristensen’s story reflects a broader tension between technological ambition and regulatory caution, with European roads at the center of the next phase of autonomous vehicle development.