In The Netherlands, road tests with autonomous trucks will start on a short term. The Dutch government has officially allowed tests with driver-less vehicles on Dutch roads. The Dutch intend to be among the first countries where driverless trucks and other vehicles will be allowed. In Holland research institute TNO along with transport organisations and truck manufacturers are on the brink of commencing first practice tests with these vehicles.
The Dutch government says trucks driving without a driver and trucks forming electronically coupled trains on main roads save fuel, CO2 and road space. The Dutch react more or less on plea’s made by Mercedes-Benz at the recent IAA Show in Hanover. Mercedes argued that governments should be willing to cooperate and follow the lastest technology by allowing tests with autonomous vehicles on their roads.