BILL
EXPLANATORY
NOTES
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New insurance rules for self-driving cars and measures to improve
provision of electric vehicle charge points will be introduced
today (22 February 2017), as part of the Vehicle Technology and
Aviation Bill.
It is hoped these measures will help the UK to become a world
leader in these technologies by breaking down some of the
barriers that could limit companies from testing them here.
Measures around insurance for self-driving cars will ensure
better protection - a single insurance product for automated
vehicles will now be able to cover both the motorist when they
are driving, as well as the car when it is in automated mode.
This will mean innocent victims involved in a collision with an
automated vehicle will have quick and easy access to
compensation.
Self-driving vehicles will allow the driver to hand full control
and responsibility to the vehicle when technologies are turned
on.
The measures follow a consultation by the
Department for Transport on the issue of insurance for
self-driving cars that closed in September 2016. The
Secretary of State will be given the power to classify which
vehicles are ‘automated’ and subject to the new insurance
requirement.
, the Transport Secretary,
said:
Automated vehicles have the potential to transform our roads in
the future and make them even safer and easier to use, as well
as promising new mobility for those who cannot drive.
But we must ensure the public is protected in the event of an
incident and today we are introducing the framework to allow
insurance for these new technologies.
, Head of Underwriting, at
AXA UK, said:
This is a positive step forward that provides clarity to
insurers to ensure we design our products appropriately. It
keeps protection of the general public at its heart which we
hope will encourage early adoption of some really impressive
technology.
The vast majority of accidents are caused by human error and we
see automated vehicles having a massive impact, reducing the
number and severity of accidents. As well as making our roads
safer, insurance premiums are based on the cost of claims and
therefore we expect substantially reduced premiums to follow.
Other measures set out in the Bill will mean easier access to
infrastructure for electric vehicles. They could also ensure the
right infrastructure is in place for the growing market for
electric vehicles.
Motorway services and large fuel retailers could be made to
provide electric charge points and hydrogen refuelling stations
under planned new laws.
The measures could also make sure data about the location and
availability of charging stations is openly available, and make
it easier to use the different networks which are available. They
follow a public consultation on
measures to improve charging infrastructure.
, Minister of State for
Transport said:
If we are to accelerate the use of electric vehicles we must
take action now and be ready to take more action later. I
recognise that to encourage more drivers to go electric, the
infrastructure needs to become even more widespread than the
11,000 charging points already in place and more
straightforward. We are determined to do all we can to make
electric vehicles work for everyone and these new laws will
help make this a reality.
