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Have you ever imagined that a car designed in California, Germany, or China could drive on the streets of your city without having to go through a maze of local approvals? Well, we are one step away from making it a reality.
In Geneva, a historic milestone has been reached. The UN has managed to bring together major powers such as the United States, Europe, and Asia to create a global regulation governing autonomous vehicles. This is not just paperwork; it is the necessary foundation for building trust and developing the market.
Until now, each country had its own regulatory framework, which hindered the development of these systems. By unifying safety criteria and testing processes, governments, industry, and the public can rest assured. We will all play by the same rules, guaranteeing that, regardless of where the car is manufactured, its safety standards will be rigorous and transparent.
The impact of this change will be massive. Currently, it is estimated that there are around 8,000 autonomous vehicles operating in cities in the United States and China. However, the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects a staggering figure: more than 500,000 units by 2035. Although the numbers are ambitious, the trend is clear. The market is not only going to grow, it could be completely transformed.
Starting in January 2027, these new regulations will come into effect. The big promise is "regulatory interoperability": vehicles that could be sold and operated in different countries without having to undergo exhaustive technical inspections. It's the ideal scenario for manufacturers.
However, as an expert, I advise caution. Technical regulations are one thing, and trade policy is quite another. What will happen when companies from one country capture a significant market share in another? We are very likely to see familiar patterns: additional taxes and protectionist measures to defend the national industry, beyond just technical safety.
The agreement is undoubtedly a giant step forward. We've created the framework; now we need to see how the market behaves in practice. Technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, but geopolitics always has its own pace.
We'll be watching closely how this pact shapes our mobility in the coming years, and we'll see what time brings.
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