Seven years behind schedule, autonomous vehicle trials are finally set to expand across Europe in the coming months.
On Monday, 17 European transport ministers signed a declaration backing large-scale cross-border testing of autonomous vehicles, alongside EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
The move aims to make testing easier by creating a common framework across participating countries.
It marks a shift away from fragmented national pilot schemes towards a coordinated European approach to testing and preparing autonomous vehicles for future deployment.
One of the biggest hurdles for the industry has been Europe's patchwork of national rules. Different testing permits, approval procedures and road and data requirements have made it difficult for companies to launch services across borders.
