EU Passes Sweeping Autonomous Vehicle Act for 2026

In a landmark vote, the European Parliament approved the Autonomous Vehicle Act, replacing a patchwork of national rules with a single type-approval pathway for highly automated vehicles.

Key provisions - Mandatory event data recorders for all Level 3+ vehicles - Driver monitoring system requirements harmonised across the bloc - Cross-border operation by default

Industry response ACEA welcomed the move, while consumer groups warned that liability rules still leave too much ambiguity for drivers.