It is understandable that people are wary of self-driving vehicles – both being passengers in them, as well as driving alongside them on the roads. But the biggest concern for Britain is self-driving trucks and lorries driving on our motorways.
Autonomous drive
Research from Deloitte’s Global Automotive Consumer Study found that most of the world is embracing driverless technology, with almost half of Germans (49%) in favour of it. In contrast, 67% of respondents in Britain were worried about driverless commercial vehicles being let loose on motorways. Only people in India were more concerned, with 74% worried about self-driving juggernauts on the country’s highways.
Fleet News found that as well as concerns about safety on motorways, the British were also worried about self-driving technology in general.
It said: “The survey of 31,000 drivers across 30 countries also revealed that British drivers are among the most sceptical in the world when it comes to having artificial intelligence (AI) in vehicles.
“It found that more than a quarter (26%) of British drivers remain unconvinced about the benefits of AI in cars, putting it on par with the US (26%) and Germany (25%) in terms of scepticism.”
Real-life risks
Sarah Noble, automotive partner and consumer supply chain lead at Deloitte, explained that, while autonomous vehicles have integrated well in some parts of the world, UK consumers still have reservations about how these vehicles will navigate complex real-time driving scenarios.
She said: “Rigorous testing and clear demonstrations of safety protocols will be crucial to building public trust and addressing consumer anxiety,” she added. “Only then will the tangible benefits of this technology be recognised in a way that resonates with UK drivers.”
Jamie Hamilton, automotive partner and head of electric vehicles at Deloitte, added: “Building trust in AI technology is paramount, especially in a market like the UK where consumers are expressing significant reservations.
“However, while AI promises to potentially revolutionise the car industry, these findings also highlight a crucial need for greater consumer education and engagement.”
Data drive
As well as having concerns about safety, British drivers are also more reluctant to share their data.
Drivers surveyed in the US (31%), the UK (30%) and Germany (26%), do not trust organisations such as government agencies, cloud providers and insurance companies, to have access to their vehicle data.
But when it comes to sharing data with manufacturers to support extra security and safety features, UK drivers were not only in favour of the move, they were also willing to pay for it.
Deloitte found that a majority would pay extra for anti-theft tracking services (65%), emergency assistance services (58%) and services for the automatic detection of vehicles and pedestrians (50%).
Ms Noble said: “While consumers generally trust car manufacturers with their data, a sizable portion, particularly in key markets like the UK, remain wary.
“Our research also shows UK drivers are willing to trade data for security and safety. They see value in features like anti-theft tracking and emergency assistance, even if it means sharing some personal information.
“This presents a real opportunity for manufacturers to build trust and demonstrate the tangible benefits of connected car technology.
“Giving consumers clear choices and control over their data will be essential for building trust in this increasingly connected era of mobility.”
Plug in at home
As well as getting views on autonomous driving, Deloitte also looked at the attitudes towards EVs. It found that 80% of drivers in the UK would prefer to charge their EV at home, compared to other options such as public charging stations (10%) or at work (11%).
Mr Hamilton said: “Our research shows a strong majority of UK consumers who intend to purchase an electric vehicle plan to charge their vehicle at home.
“While home charging simplifies the charging experience for some people, it also highlights the need to address potential barriers for those without a driveway or off-street parking.
“A robust public charging network is essential for wider EV adoption – it’s about providing convenience and peace of mind for longer journeys and for those who can’t charge at home.”
People are understandably wary of new technology, especially when it comes to self-driving vehicles. Crashes between lorries and smaller vehicles today are often catastrophic, especially on motorways, so it is no surprise that many drivers are worried about sharing the road with a self-driving juggernaut.
