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Nissan to run its first 'on-road autonomous vehicle tests' in London

Japanese car manufacturer Nissan has announced it will be bringing its first autonomous vehicles to London’s streets as part of its first on-road demonstrations in Europe next month.

The carmaker said government officials and technical and safety experts will be given the opportunity to test the technology in a ‘live environment’ in Nissan Leaf models equipped with the firm’s autonomous drive technology, enabling passengers to experience autonomous driving on real-world public roads.

The announcement was made as Business and Energy Secretary, Greg Clark, paid a visit to Nissan’s European R&D headquarters in Cranfield today, and follows assurances last year that the carmaker would retain its UK manufacturing base despite the Brexit vote.

Following today’s announcement, Clark said: ““Government and industry are working together to build on our world class reputation for excellence as a leading location for automotive R&D and manufacturing.

“We want to see centres, like Nissan’s here in Cranfield, continue to develop, making us a world leader in the development and testing of auto technology so we can anchor the next generation of vehicle manufacturing and its supply chain here in the UK.”

Paul Willcox, Chairman, Nissan Europe, said: “In just a few weeks’ time, there will be Nissan LEAFs driving on the streets of London using our autonomous driving technology. Nissan Intelligent Mobility is happening right now, right here in the UK and across Europe.”

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