UK Thinktank Urges Taxing Self-Driving Cars to Offset Job Losses
nordicinst · x · 2026-09-12
The Centre for British Progress urges the UK government to tax self-driving cars now to offset congestion and job losses, as robotaxis debut in London and projections suggest 40% of new cars could be self-driving-capable by the mid-2030s.
Key points:
- Widespread AV adoption could put England's 417,000 taxi and private-hire driver jobs at risk
- Individual AV ownership may increase car usage at the expense of public transport and worsen congestion
- Fuel duty brings in about £27bn a year and is projected to vanish with EVs; AV taxes could replace it
- UK autonomous driving firm Wayve objected, saying it would 'penalise the UK's most promising innovators'
The non-partisan thinktank says ministers should act early to smooth the transition.
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