Federal Government publishes strategy for autonomous driving in road transport

Autonomous driving is the future, says Federal Minister Wissing

The Federal Cabinet today adopted its strategy for autonomous driving in road transport. The strategy is intended to pave the way for the use of self-driving cars in everyday traffic and to put in place the framework to further advance this technology and tap its enormous opportunities. The goal is to make Germany one of the world’s leading hubs for innovation and production in the autonomous driving sector.

“Autonomous driving is a one of the key technologies for innovative, clean, accessible and affordable mobility,” said Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport. “With this strategy, we are creating a suitable innovation-friendly framework – a framework that has to be fleshed out by business and industry. Together we will be able to make autonomous driving an everyday occurrence. We are convinced that the future of mobility lies in autonomous driving.”

Germany a pioneer in developing a regulatory framework

Germany is the first country worldwide to have developed a comprehensive regulatory framework for autonomous driving. Since 2021, it has had legislation in place allowing the use of autonomous motor vehicles on public roads. Autonomous driving systems have since then been successfully trialled in various use cases.

Focus on local public transport and freight transport

With the strategy, the Federal Government aims to breathe new life into the existing regulatory framework. The focus is on road transport, specifically on local public transport and freight transport. Local public transport is an important driving force for innovative, autonomous mobility services. Autonomous driving could potentially benefit a lot of people in this sector and have a positive impact on the transport system as well as climate change mitigation. The technology also has the potential to make freight transport more efficient, more sustainable and safer.

Autonomous driving offers tremendous opportunities

The technologies related to autonomous and connected driving offer many opportunities that are pivotal for the mobility of the future. They can contribute to enhancing road safety, improving access to transport links in rural areas and suburbs, as well as increasing quality of life for all, including people with mobility constraints. In view of the current shortage of professional drivers, autonomous driving may play a vital role in the long term.

A wide-scale rollout of vehicles meeting current and future needs will also increase the demand for autonomous cars as well as strengthen the innovative capacity and competitiveness of the German automotive industry and its suppliers.

The strategy can be downloaded at https://bmdv.bund.de/SharedDocs/EN/publications/strategy-for-autonomous-driving.html.