This week, a new California law goes into effect prohibiting automakers from “deceptively naming, referring to, or marketing” a car as self-driving if it’s only equipped with partial automation features. The law, sponsored by Democratic State Senator Lena Gonzalez of Long Beach, takes aim at Tesla, which describes its vehicle software as Full Self-Driving, despite the fact that Teslas are not fully autonomous and require human drivers to pay attention and keep their hands on the wheel while driving. 

“When a driver knows they’re in a fully autonomous vehicle, they know they don’t have to pay attention to the road. On the other hand, deceptive marketing of driver-assistance technology as ‘self-driving’ lulls drivers into a false sense of complacency and security,” said Chamber of Progress CEO Adam Kovacevich. “In reality, fully autonomous vehicles have the ability to save lives by reducing traffic fatalities and taking human error off our roads. In California, policymakers are heading the problem off by putting an end to deceptive advertising that mislabels vehicles as Full Self-Driving.” 

Chamber of Progress has highlighted the difference between Teslas’ advanced driver-assistance technology and fully  autonomous vehicles, pointing to distinctions in physical components, development strategies, and transparency. Chamber of Progress has also pushed for updated state and federal regulations that encourage the deployment of safe autonomous vehicles.

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Chamber of Progress (progresschamber.org) is a center-left tech industry policy coalition promoting technology’s progressive future. We work to ensure that all Americans benefit from technological leaps, and that the tech industry operates responsibly and fairly. 

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