Elon Musk has praised Tesla's Full Self-Driving technology after a viral video showed the electric vehicle travelling across dirt roads in the Chinese countryside.
A video, which has been viewed almost 71 million times, shows Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology navigating dirt roads in the Chinese mountains, often on single-track roads without markings.
The clip, from Master Yue Electronic Technology, shows the driver explaining how the car is manoeuvring easily along the steep slopes and maintaining suitable speed control, despite the rugged terrain.
Commenting on the social media post, Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk wrote on X: "Teslas can even drive themselves on dirt roads with no markings."
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Teslas can even drive themselves on dirt roads with no markings https://t.co/vx1nge4xv5
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 1, 2025
The longer video shows how the Tesla navigates rural and urban roads before joining the motorway and going through toll roads.
With the FSD technology in charge of the vehicle's movements, the driver rarely touches the steering wheel throughout the 22-minute video.
Astounded motorists responded to Musk's initial post, saying that the self-driving technology would only continue to improve as more people use the autonomous features.
One commenter said: "This is what Elon promised from the beginning. At some point, FSD will be good enough. You can drop it down anywhere in the world, and it will be able to drive at least as good as a human.
Elon Musk has consistently backed the Full Self-Driving technology in Tesla models
REUTERS/GETTY
"If a UFO lands in front of it, it will be able to navigate around it. That point has come."
Another person commented: "I wonder if people understand how remarkable FSD is to humanity. Human lives will be saved!"
A third social media user added: "Tesla FSD is literally the best real-world AI in the world. I love it."
It comes as Elon Musk is reportedly planning to launch a free self-driving taxi service across California, according to emails obtained by the Washington Post.
Reports suggest Tesla submitted an application to the California Public Utilities Commission for a permit to transport passengers in its vehicles.
While Tesla has already tested its driverless vehicles in the state with a human behind the wheel, the additional permit would allow people to summon the vehicles for free.
Elon Musk has been vocal in his support for Tesla having a large fleet of driverless electric vehicles, highlighting the ambition at the brand's glitzy Los Angeles event last year.
The event in October saw Musk arriving at the event in a driverless Cybercab. The highly-anticipated robotaxi will be able to make drivers passive income, Musk said.
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The Cybercab is expected to enter production in 2026 TESLAThe billionaire pledged that the Cybercab would go into production in 2026 and cost around £23,000, although it would not feature a steering wheel or any pedals. He added that charging would be inductive, and operating costs would only be around 15p per mile over time.
Speaking at the event, Musk said: "The autonomous future is here. We have 50 fully autonomous cars here tonight. You'll see Model Ys and the Cybercab. All driverless."
