UK government announces £55 million funding for driverless car testing cluster

The government has announced the first phase of its £100 million investment in connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) testing infrastructure, as it aims to established the UK as a centre of autonomous vehicle technology.

The government made a commitment in the 2016 Autumn Statement to develop ‘world-class’ CAV testing infrastructure, and the test bed will use existing CAV testing centres in Coventry, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Oxford and London.

Business minister Greg Clark told delegates at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ Connected conference last week that the £100 million of government funding will be matched by industry over a four-year period.

“By 2035, the global market for connected and autonomous vehicle technologies is predicted to be worth £63bn,” said Clark.

“Our investment and collaboration with industry to build on our strengths and create a cluster of excellence that will ensure we are at the forefront of its development and perfectly positioned to lead and capitalise on this market,” he added.

The government and its industry partners hope that by creating such a cluster, it can develop driverless car capabilities, attract investment, and  improve understanding of the technology and infrastructure involved in autonomous vehicles.

Of 1,700 fatalities on Britain’s roads each year, human error was a factor in 90pc of them.