Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • VW, BMW, others plot Europe network expansion with charging venture
      Electric-only Volvo C40 to challenge Tesla Model 3, VW ID3
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Volvo C40 Recharge
      JLR axed electric Land Rover, Jaguar on MLA platform to focus on better tech
    • JLR axed electric Land Rover, Jaguar on MLA platform to focus on better tech
      Hyundai counts on Bayon's 'distinctive' design to make small SUV stand out
      Harrison named Toyota Europe CEO, succeeding van Zyl
      Mercedes misses fuel economy targets in U.S., China
    • Sogefi appoints new CEO, virus weighs on 2020 results
      3BIDEN-MAIN_i.jpg
      Biden to press for $37 billion to boost chip output amid shortage
      Continental grille web.jpg
      Continental invests in object recognition startup
      1OUSTER-MAIN_i.jpg
      Why lidar suppliers may run into obstacles
    • Electric-only Volvo C40 to challenge Tesla Model 3, VW ID3
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Volvo C40 Recharge
      Hyundai counts on Bayon's 'distinctive' design to make small SUV stand out
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Hyundai Bayon
    • Valeo joins Bosch, GM, others in pledge for carbon neutrality
      GMEVBarra-MAIN_i.jpg
      GM aims to stop selling gasoline vehicles by 2035 in carbon neutrality pledge
      VW will appeal $20M Spanish diesel compensation ruling
      Death of diesel looms as automakers accelerate to electric future
    • French sales fell 21% in February as COVID slump continues
      Russia sales fall 4% in January as rebound stalls
      3CARNIVAL-MAIN_i.jpg
      Why European auto sales may not rebound
      Europe sales plunge 26% in January amid COVID lockdowns
    • Audi appoints former Porsche exec as finance chief
      Sogefi appoints new CEO, virus weighs on 2020 results
      Audi's new chief engineer will accelerate EV push
      Suzuki chairman will retire after longest reign in auto industry
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Frankfurt Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Mobility
    • Segment Analysis
    • Latest Launches
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
    • Apple, Nio, other auto newcomers get creative to avoid Tesla's 'production hell'
      How Amazon, Google are transforming the auto industry
      EV-only future looks closer than ever in Europe
      European car retailing poised for shake-up as 'agency' model gains support
    • Renault CEO bets on 'winning horses' for turnaround
      Nvidia CEO says software will soon define the car, drive profit
      Tavares: Keeping PSA, FCA merger on track an 'incredible' achievement
      Renault CEO outlines ambitious revival plan
    • JLR axed electric Land Rover, Jaguar on MLA platform to focus on better tech
      Mercedes misses fuel economy targets in U.S., China
      Volvo to be electric-only brand by 2030; EVs will be sold exclusively online
      JLR seeks partner for Jaguar EV platform
    • Skoda connectivity features need to offer more 'must-have' allure
      Luminar-MAIN_i.jpg
      Who's who in the lidar world
      A 'genius idea' gets a second chance in Renault's mobility strategy
      Volvo sets tough goal for car subscriptions arm
    • EVs, surging SUVs to hit Europe's biggest segment
      Wagons hold market share, but costly EV shift looms
      Electrification gains speed in Europe's key compact segment
      Hybrids beat the market; sales expected to top 1 million in 2022
    • Hyundai counts on Bayon's 'distinctive' design to make small SUV stand out
      Mercedes positions C-Class as sportier S-Class
      Nissan Qashqai gets better handling thanks to new platform
      ARTURA-MAIN_i.jpg
      McLaren embarks on deeper electrified future with Artura
    • How GKN is transforming to gain from e-powertrain shift
      Marelli CEO expects e-powertrains to provide long-term boost
      Veoneer boss expects to reach key milestone this quarter
      How Faurecia aims to become a hydrogen leader
    • Europe sales by model, January: Porsche, Lamborghini, Volvo defy down market; Toyota Yaris No. 1-seller for the month, VW Golf finishes 4th
      Top 10 sellers by market, January: Skoda Octavia finishes No. 1 or No. 2 in eight markets
      Russia sales fall 4% in January as rebound stalls
      Turkey sales, January: Ford, Opel, Fiat, Mercedes rise sharply
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
    • Jaguar Land Rover Gerry McGovern
      Gerry McGovern is right man to steer Jaguar reinvention
      A 'genius idea' gets a second chance in Renault's mobility strategy
      Skoda connectivity features need to offer more 'must-have' allure
      Will an all-electric Jaguar be sold off?
    • Understanding the impact of design on marketing, brand and user experience
      Ex-Aston Martin CEO Palmer calls on UK to intensify battery commitment
      Why Apple must target the $230B luxury car market
      Apple car: Who will build it? Magna Steyr possible candidate
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • view gallery
      11 photos
      Volvo C40 Recharge
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Hyundai Bayon
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Honda HR-V Hybrid
      view gallery
      13 photos
      Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2021)
    • koenigsegg-gemera-front-quarter-passenger-01.jpg
      view gallery
      14 photos
      Koenigsegg Gemera
      view gallery
      21 photos
      Fiat New 500
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Aston Martin V12 Speedster
      view gallery
      13 photos
      Audi A3 Sportback 2020
    • At the Beijing show, sales rebound and EV boom mix with murky outlook
      3BEIJING-MAIN_i.jpg
      Beijing show to highlight competition for local EV makers
      Beijing auto show delayed due to coronavirus
      Maserati will unveil Ghibli hybrid at Beijing show
    • view gallery
      11 photos
      Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Renault Captur
      view gallery
      5 photos
      Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 53
      view gallery
      10 photos
      Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe
    • view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux SA2.0 SUV
      view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux A2.0 sedan
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Seat Tarraco
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Toyota Corolla station wagon
    • view gallery
      4 photos
      Nio ET Preview
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Infiniti Qs Inspiration concept
      view gallery
      5 photos
      BMW 3-series LWB
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Mini Clubman
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress Conversations
    • ANE Shift
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
    • ANE Leading Women
    • Watch Again
      • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
      • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
      • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
      • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
    • Meet the 2020 winners
    • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Focus on mobility
February 12, 2021 06:45 AM

Germany may soon allow robotaxis on public roads

Automakers call on gov't to swiftly pass autonomous vehicles law

Christiaan Hetzner
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    VW

    VW presented the Sedric self-driving vehicle, shown here as a school bus, in 2017.

    FRANKFURT -- Germany's auto industry called on the country's lawmakers to swiftly pass a regulation that could serve as an international blueprint for autonomous taxis and buses.

    Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet on Feb 10 put forward a bill that would allow so-called Level 4 autonomous vehicles to operate on public roads in defined areas as early as next year.

    "We want autonomous cars and buses that take passengers to their destinations on demand -- and park themselves in the parking garage afterwards," German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer told the dpa news agency.

    The VDA, which represents the interests of German automakers and suppliers, says the legislation, if passed, would help the industry gain an edge internationally in the race to develop highly automated vehicles.

    While automakers such as Volkswagen and Daimler do not have any such vehicles ready to enter series production, they hope a favorable regulatory environment will help them to design and roll out self-driving shared vehicles, known as robotaxis.

    "The knowledge and experience that can be gained in Germany in the course of this process offers the chance to serve as the foundation for a European legal framework and an international regulation," the VDA said in a statement.

    Currently none of the major German automakers have plans to launch shared autonomous vehicles any time soon. Under Daimler CEO Ola Kallenius, Mercedes-Benz has backed away from robotaxis, arguing it does not see a strong enough business case, preferring to invest together with Nvidia in greater levels of autonomy for conventional passenger cars for private owners.

    In November, VW appointed  one of its top engineers, Christian Senger, as the head of development for autonomous driving and mobility-as-a-service. He is in charge of developing a model for use in such fleets, but the self-driving software system will come from associate Argo AI.

    Europe: Focus on mobility: Sign up for our monthly newsletter that looks at how automakers, suppliers and emerging, non-traditional players are helping usher in the future of mobility.
    Election hurdle

    If passed, experts say the legislation would be a rare example of regulation leading rather than lagging technology.

    The reason why the industry is urging speed is to ensure the legislation can still make it into onto the statute books prior to the general election in Germany scheduled for Sept. 27.

    It could still take weeks until the bill sees its first reading in the Bundestag, the lower house of the German parliament. Realistically the outgoing German government has until the end of June to debate the bill in both chambers and potentially amend it before passing into law.

    Afterwards there is a two-month summer break that signals the official beginning of the campaign season ahead of the election.

    Automakers and suppliers are relieved that the draft bill made it this far because at one point there were concerns the bill would not reach the cabinet in time and would instead become snagged in the inter-departmental approval process, in part due to data privacy concerns.

    "If it doesn't get passed in the current parliamentary term, then there is the election and coalition talks before a government is finally formed, meaning the earliest chance to revisit this would be mid-2022, by which point it will likely be too late as European regulators will have taken action," said an industry source familiar with the matter.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    VW, BMW, others plot Europe network expansion with charging venture
    Recommended for You
    VW, BMW, others plot Europe network expansion with charging venture
    VW, BMW, others plot Europe network expansion with charging venture
    Electric-only Volvo C40 to challenge Tesla Model 3, VW ID3
    Electric-only Volvo C40 to challenge Tesla Model 3, VW ID3
    JLR axed electric Land Rover, Jaguar on MLA platform to focus on better tech
    JLR axed electric Land Rover, Jaguar on MLA platform to focus on better tech
    Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    Sponsored Content: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • 2020 Media Kit
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Frankfurt Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Mobility
      • Segment Analysis
      • Latest Launches
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress Conversations
        • Watch Again
          • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
          • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
          • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
          • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
      • ANE Shift
      • ANE Rising Stars
        • Meet the 2020 winners
        • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
      • ANE Eurostars
      • ANE Leading Women
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us