Tesla’s latest Vehicle Safety Report for Q1 2025 reveals that vehicles using Autopilot technology recorded one crash for every 7.44 million miles driven, a significant leap in safety performance. This figure outperforms Tesla vehicles not using Autopilot, which saw one crash every 1.51 million miles, and the U.S. national average of one accident every 702,000 miles, based on 2023 NHTSA and FHWA data. For electric vehicle (EV) owners, this underscores Autopilot’s growing role in making roads safer.

Autopilot’s Progress: Unpacking the Numbers

Tesla’s Q1 2025 report highlights Autopilot’s steady improvement. The accompanying chart tracks miles driven per accident from Q3 2018 to Q1 2025, showing Autopilot-enabled vehicles rising from 3.35 million miles per crash in Q3 2018 to 7.44 million miles now. Vehicles without Autopilot have remained between 1.92 and 1.51 million miles per crash, while the U.S. average stays at 702,000 miles. Tesla attributes this to over 9 billion miles of real-world data, which drives continuous software updates to features like lane-keeping assist and emergency braking.

This progress tackles human error, which the NHTSA says causes 90% of U.S. crashes. For Tesla drivers, it means fewer accidents, whether navigating busy city streets or open highways.

Impact on EV Drivers and the Industry

For Tesla owners, 7.44 million miles per crash with Autopilot equates to driving from New York to Los Angeles and back—about 5,600 miles—over 1,328 times without an incident. The U.S. average, by contrast, would see more than 10 crashes over that distance. This safety edge could reduce insurance costs, a relief for EV owners managing the higher price of electric vehicles.

The broader EV industry is taking notice. Tesla’s numbers push competitors like Ford and GM to enhance their driver-assistance systems. Regulators, such as the NHTSA, may need to update safety standards as autonomous tech advances. However, Tesla’s self-reported data has drawn scrutiny—some experts advocate for independent audits, especially amid ongoing NHTSA investigations, like the January 2025 probe into 2.6 million Tesla vehicles over remote driving features.

Tesla’s Autopilot Hits Safety Milestone: 7.44 Million Miles Per Crash In Q1 2025

EVXL’s Take: A Win for Safety, But Let’s See the Proof

At EVXL, we’re impressed by Tesla’s 6.85 million-mile record—it’s a reassuring step for anyone behind the wheel. Whether you’re a parent on the school run or a road-tripper chasing the horizon, this tech offers peace of mind. Still, we’d love Tesla to invite third-party auditors to verify these figures. Safety is about trust, and independent validation could make this milestone even more powerful. For now, Tesla’s progress is a bright spot for EV drivers, paving the way for safer journeys.

Tesla’s Autopilot continues to raise the bar, proving that innovation can drive safety forward for EV owners everywhere.

Photos courtesy of Tesla / Tesla Newswire