Tesla’s decision to remove the previously located gear or mode selector on the steering wheel that controlled reverse, neutral, and drive mode does not violate NHTSA regulations. About this resource The Verge said one of the representatives of the American government department.

Equipping the updated Tesla Model S and Model X with a digital drive mode switch caused a lively controversy on the Web, especially since Tesla has not shown control through the touchscreen until now. In one of the last interviews with Elon Musk, this innovation was called “crazy”, and Musk replied that he himself tested automatic switching, and he liked it. Later, Musk also noted that the touchscreen solution is only a fallback, and the main one is automation. The car will independently understand what the owner requires of it.

Soon a video appeared on Twitter in which one of the owners of the updated Tesla Model S electric car demonstrated the digital gear selector. Instead of on-screen buttons, one for each mode, the user is prompted to press and pull on a small typewriter-shaped icon from the left edge of the screen. If you pull up, the car will go forward, and down – the reverse gear will be engaged. The neutral transmission is hidden in the back of the menu. In this case, the choice of the parking mode is not shown in the video.

According to NHTSA, Tesla does not violate any safety standards for cars with its unorthodox approach to the implementation of the PRND system and therefore “at the moment” the regulator has no questions about this technology.

“NHTS is aware of the ability to switch driving modes using touch screens, which has been developed for Tesla Model S and other electric vehicles. Properly configured touch control transmission shift control does not violate any federal safety standards for driving. Tesla technology has passed safety certification. There are currently no known cases that indicate a violation of the rules related to the configuration of the driving mode switch control. “, – commented a spokesman for NHTS in a letter The Verge.

The phrase “at the moment” suggests that updated versions of the Tesla Model S and Model X electric vehicles with digital transmission switch have just begun to arrive in early adopters. NHTSA stands ready to take action if any problems are found with this management system. The agency encourages all owners of refurbished Tesla to report any security issues via a XNUMX-hour hotline.

US law requires all vehicles sold in the US to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This is a list of rules for automotive components and systems that affect the safety of motor vehicles, which contains requirements for the design, manufacture, function and durability of products.