Guardian: UK urged to tax self-driving cars now as 417,000 driver jobs at risk

dc_lawrence · x · 2026-09-12

The Guardian covers the Centre for British Progress report urging the UK to tax self-driving cars now. London saw its first robotaxis this month, and government projections say up to 40% of cars sold could have self-driving capability by the mid-2030s. Widespread AV adoption would put hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk (417,000 taxi and private hire drivers in England), increase congestion, and leave a hole as £27bn/year in fuel duty disappears. British AV firm Wayve objected, saying a tax would "penalise the UK's most promising innovators."

Related event: UK think tank urges taxing robotaxis just as they launch in London, potentially raising £46bn a year(5 posts)→

Original post →

More from AGI Musings

AGI Musings channel →