Portugal has joined an initiative to accelerate the implementation of autonomous vehicles in Europe. The country signed a joint declaration of intentions in Brussels, along with Slovakia and Norway, to support the safe, coordinated, and competitive implementation of autonomous vehicles. This initiative is part of the Europe Connecting Days, which brings together politicians, transport sector representatives, industry stakeholders, and the European Commission.
The joint declaration aims to facilitate the cross-border implementation of autonomous vehicles in areas such as public transportation, cargo, and logistics. By signing this declaration, Portugal, Slovakia, and Norway have joined 19 other European countries that have already committed to this initiative. Spain also recently subscribed to this commitment, bringing the total number of participating countries to 22.
The initiative's primary objective is to accelerate the implementation of autonomous vehicles across Europe while ensuring safety, coordination, and competitiveness. Participating countries have pledged to work together to establish common principles for licensing and implementation, as well as conduct testing. This effort is part of a broader European action plan that involves member states, regional and local authorities, industry stakeholders, and transport operators.
The European Commission has welcomed Portugal, Slovakia, and Norway's commitment to the initiative. According to the Commission, the joint declaration will facilitate the development of cross-border testing for autonomous vehicles. This will enable the testing of autonomous vehicles across different countries and regions, promoting a more integrated and efficient European transport system.
The Europe Connecting Days, which will run until October 1, aims to promote a safer, more sustainable, and competitive transport sector in Europe. The event brings together key stakeholders to discuss measures and best practices for the transport sector. Portugal's Ministry of Infrastructure has not provided additional information on this agreement, despite requests for comment.
The initiative has gained significant traction since its launch. On June 8, 18 European countries had already signed the joint declaration, including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. These countries have demonstrated their commitment to accelerating the implementation of autonomous vehicles in Europe.
The implementation of autonomous vehicles is expected to transform the European transport sector. With the support of the European Commission and participating countries, this initiative is poised to drive innovation and investment in the sector. As the transport sector continues to evolve, the safe, coordinated, and competitive implementation of autonomous vehicles will be crucial for its future success.
Key points
- Portugal, Slovakia, and Norway have signed a joint declaration to accelerate the implementation of autonomous vehicles in Europe.
- The initiative aims to facilitate the cross-border implementation of autonomous vehicles in areas such as public transportation, cargo, and logistics.
- 22 European countries have now committed to the initiative, which is part of a broader European action plan to promote a safer, more sustainable, and competitive transport sector.
