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Self-driving cars could make up 40% of all new UK car sales by 2035

Self-driving cars could make up 40% of all new UK car sales by 2035

New research by the Department for Transport and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles suggests that self-driving technology will be present in 40% of all new UK car sales by 2035, with a total market value of £41.7 billion.

It is estimated that this could create nearly 40,000 skilled jobs in the Connected and Autonomous (CAV) technology area.

On January 14 2021, transport minister Rachel Maclean unveiled the report: Connected Places Catapult: market forecast for connected and autonomous vehicles

The transport minister said, “We’re on the cusp of a driving revolution. Not only could this tech unlock vast opportunities for the UK economy and jobs market, it could significantly improve the safety and efficiency of how we travel over the coming decades.”

To date, the UK Government has invested £200 million into CAV research and development, helping British start-ups, such as Five AI and Oxbotica, develop their technologies for use in the UK and internationally.

Oxbotica launched Project Endeavour in 2020, to trial the use of autonomous vehicles in Oxford, London and Birmingham. The first trial began in October 2020 and saw a fleet of six Ford Mondeo vehicles, capable of Level 4 autonomous driving, completing a nine-mile round trip from Oxford Parkway station to Oxford’s main train station.

An earlier trial in 2019, the StreetWise project in London led by Five AI saw self-driving vehicles taking commuters to and from work.

The government is analysing the results of a consultation from August 2020, which are due to be published imminently, to determine whether it is safe to implement Automated Lane Keeping Systems (AKLS) on UK motorways. 

Lord Grimstone, minister for investment at the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, said, “Self-driving vehicles represent a huge economic opportunity for the UK, unlocking much-needed jobs and economic growth.

“Government is backing business to realise this – driving forward the future of the UK’s automotive and technology sectors and helping us build back better.”

We at Marshall Leasing are interested in the development of automated technology and are pleased to see advancements being made. If you would like to find out more about our fleet services, please get in touch at info@marshall-leasing.co.uk or by calling 01480 414541. 

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