Government sets out funding package and legal roadmap for autonomous vehicles

The government believes the market for autonomous vehicles could create up to 38,000 jobs and be worth an estimated £42bn.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We want the UK to be at the forefront of developing and using this fantastic technology, and that is why we are investing millions in vital research into safety and setting the legislation to ensure we gain the full benefits that this technology promises.”

The plans include £100m in funding, with £34m confirmed on August 19, 2022 for research to support safety developments and inform more detailed legislation. This could include researching the performance of self-driving cars in poor weather conditions and how they interact with pedestrians, other vehicles, and cyclists.

From the funding package, £20m is being made available to help kick-start commercial self-driving services, which could include grocery deliveries or shuttle pods assisting passengers moving through airports. £6m will also be used for further market research and to support commercialisation of the technology.