Britain plans driverless cars on roads by 2021

Self-driving cars could be on Britain’s roads in just three years.

That’s if the Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond has his way, with the treasury pouring millions into technology around electric and autonomous vehicles.

The Government’s new budget supports EVs and associated technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), providing £500 million (NZ$969m) electric car support for infrastructure and rebates.

A £400m (NZ$775m) Charging Investment Infrastructure Fund will have investment split between the Government and the private sector to accelerate charging infrastructure installation.

There’s also millions for AI research, new 5G mobile phone networks and more training more computer science teachers.

Encouraging the driverless car industry, the Government says it “will be worth £28 billion (NZ$54b) to the UK economy by 2035”.

Money for all this is likely to come from an increase in company car tax and vehicle duty on new diesel cars, Britain planning to ban new diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2040.

The budget says an extra £100m (NZ$193m) will go towards helping people buy battery electric cars. “The government will also make sure all new homes are built with the right cables for electric car charge points.”

Meanwhile, the BBC News reports that in a few days the Chancellor is expected to ride in a driverless car in the West Midlands.