Britain in pole position to be a global leader in the development of self-driving cars

BRITAIN’S decision to quit the EU could help put Britain in pole position in developing self-driving cars which rely on internet connectivity to pilot themselves.

The UK is already at an advantage over most of Europe in researching autonomous vehicles because it never ratified the Vienna Convention, which requires “every driver shall at all times be able to control his vehicle”. Now with the vote to split from the EU, that lead could be increased with Britain unfettered by European red tape, according to industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Mike Hawes, its chief executive, said: “Britain is already perceived as an attractive test bed for technologies; Brexit may make it more attractive.”

The Government wants Britain to become a world leader in self-driving cars, setting out its plans in the Queen’s Speech, and a study commissioned by the SMMT calculated autonomous and connected vehicles could be worth £51bn a year to the UK economy by 2030. Other advantages in Britain’s favour include London being the only “megacity” in Europe, making it the region’s best testing ground for the self-driving car. Volvo has already said it will trial its self-driving cars in the capital.

However, leaving the EU also poses a risk to Britain’s car industry – which saw the number of vehicles rolling off production lines hit a 16-year high in the first six months of 2016.

The SMMT set out its “red lines” for Brexit, pointing to the car industry’s “wafer-thin margins” and calling on the Government to ensure it will not face tariffs or barriers on exports, or problems recruiting skilled staff from abroad.