ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the development of such innovations and their likely impact. It shows the stated commitment by the United Kingdom (UK) government to be a player in the new industry, specifically by reference to autonomous vehicles, but also recognises investment in the UK in research and development into autonomous vehicles is limited. The technological changes, and the potential for more, are likely to be much more significant in terms of their impact on the car industry than anything agreed relating to the UK’s trading relationship with the European Union. A major disruptor to the vehicle industry that will occur in the near future is the autonomous vehicle. The history of the electric car significantly precedes that of internal combustion engine vehicles. Autonomous vehicles were always considered a futuristic idea, and forecasts of the introduction of driverless vehicles always appeared to be a concept that was near but in the future.
