Argentina's Milei submits bill to allow self-driving cars

A bill that Argentina’s President Javier Milei sent to congress includes authorization of self-driving vehicles for individuals, passengers or cargo.

According to the bill, autonomous vehicles must have software authorized by the national government and the manufacturer must demonstrate “an accident rate lower than the average accident rate corresponding to human driving.”

The measure attempts to put Argentina closer to cities like San Francisco, where autonomous cars are already a reality.

Obstacles to imports and the macroeconomic crisis meant that the supply of automobiles in Argentina was restricted in recent years.

The country is also slowly advancing in the adoption of electric cars.

In the first half of 2023, 4,672 new electric and hybrid vehicles were registered in Argentina, a year-on-year increase of 31.9%. Around 85% were hybrid (HEV) models. The growth of mild hybrids was 244%, HEVs 25.1% and fully electric vehicles 70%.

In January-June, 222,203 new automobiles and light commercial vehicles were registered in Argentina.

The new bill also stipulates that tolls must be collected using smart technology from end-2025.