The Audi Q6 E-Tron will introduce advanced active lighting technology that enhances the intelligence and safety of this electric vehicle. However, this feature will not be offered in the United States. Before you express disappointment in Audi, it’s important to note that federal regulations are to blame.

Audi has been equipping its vehicles with adaptive matrix LED headlights for nearly a decade. These headlights have the ability to automatically dim or brighten based on the detection of oncoming light. Essentially, an Audi can drive with its headlights at full brightness, providing maximum visibility to the driver. However, the individual LED sections can dim to avoid blinding other traffic. Here’s a brief explanation of how this technology works.

Audi has installed its matrix LED technology on some vehicles sold in the US, but has kept the function deactivated. In February 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) modified Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, permitting adaptive driving beam (ADB) lighting similar to Audi’s technology. However, this ruling actually created complexities, making it more challenging to activate these systems.

In a statement, Audi explained, “The US had a specific regulation that only allowed for a high or a low beam, but nothing in between. A new regulation was passed that allowed for adaptive beam lighting. However, the ruling also established differing requirements in terms of testing and certification than the globally accepted and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) informed solution. This is the solution we have offered outside of the US since 2012.”

It seems that the new regulation demands unique testing procedures, methodologies, and criteria that current systems cannot meet, according to Audi. Safety groups had warned NHTSA about this issue years ago. In a petition filed in 2018, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety expressed concern that certain components of the amendment would hinder manufacturers from fully implementing ADB systems to maximize visibility and minimize glare.

In response, NHTSA stated, “Our lighting standard, FMVSS No. 108, has long balanced the seeing needs of drivers while limiting glare to others.”