BVRLA Welcomes Driverless Cars Trials

The BVRLA has welcomed the government's announcement that it is giving a green light for testing of driverless cars on public roads. Following a review of regulations, the part-government-funded projects in Greenwich, Coventry, Milton Keynes and Bristol can now proceed.

On-road testing will feature the real-world evaluation of passenger cars with increasing levels of autonomy, as well as the development and evaluation of lightweight, fully-autonomous self-driving pods for pedestrianised spaces. They will include public tests of fully automated passenger shuttle transport systems and autonomous valet parking of adapted cars. They will also investigate the legal and insurance aspects of driverless cars and explore how the public reacts.

"The vehicle rental and leasing industry has the youngest fleet on UK roads and prides itself on running the safest, most cost-efficient, low-emission vehicles. This means they will be early adopters of and investors in autonomous vehicle technology," said BVRLA Chief Executive, Gerry Keaney.

"We are delighted to see that the government is providing the financial and legal support required to get these exciting trials underway.

"The BVRLA and its members are looking forward to working with these and other projects that are set to put the UK at the forefront of the driverless cars revolution."

The BVRLA is hosting its second Fleet Technology Congress on 1 July at the Williams F1 Centre in Oxfordshire. Over 150 delegates will receive an update on these driverless car projects, as well as hearing about many other aspects of connected vehicles, telematics and fleet management trends.

The association has also published a Fleet Technology White Paper.

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Notes to Editors

The BVRLA's 2014 Fleet Technology White Paper can be downloaded here:http://www.bvrla.co.uk/system/files/files/publication-order-forms/fleet_tech_congress_white_paper.pdf

About the BVRLA

Established in 1967, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association is the UK trade body for companies engaged in the rental and leasing of cars and commercial vehicles. Its 700+ members operate a combined fleet of 3.8 million cars, vans and trucks. BVRLA members buy nearly half of all new vehicles sold in the UK, supporting around 317,000 jobs and contributing nearly £25bn to the economy each year.

By consulting with government and maintaining industry standards, the BVRLA helps its members deliver safe, sustainable and affordable road transport to millions of consumers and businesses. For more information, visitwww.bvrla.co.uk.

For more information, contact:

Toby Poston – Director of Communications & External Relations
toby@bvrla.co.uk
tel: 01494 545700
mob: 07979 756533

Jamie Fretwell - Media & Communications Officer
jamie@bvrla.co.uk
tel: 01494 545710
mob: 07790 271806