Israel to Allow Advanced Autonomous Vehicles on Roads Starting Next Year

Israel is expected to implement new regulations in the second half of next year permitting the operation of vehicles equipped with advanced autonomous driving systems. This development follows over five years of regulatory planning delayed by the absence of international standards and legal challenges. In late June, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) approved comprehensive international regulations for autonomous vehicles at autonomy level 4 and above, marking a significant breakthrough. These standards set uniform safety requirements, model approval processes, and mandate continuous monitoring and reporting of safety events, enabling vehicles to operate with minimal or no human intervention.

The new UNECE regulations, which Israel is likely to adopt as part of European standards, will simplify the import approval process for highly autonomous vehicles. Initially, adoption is expected to focus on commercial fleets operating in controlled environments, such as robotaxis, autonomous port cranes, and dedicated buses. Currently, Israeli company Chotza Israel is advancing a tender for autonomous shuttle trials in Golan Heights communities, starting with a safety driver and eventually moving to fully driverless operation.

Many vehicles with dormant autonomous capabilities, such as Tesla models and the XPENG P7 Plus electric car recently introduced to Israel, are already imported. These systems can be remotely activated once regulations permit. Other Chinese brands like NIO and Geely's Zeekr also feature such dormant autonomous driving preparations.

The Ministry of Transportation noted that it has been issuing experimental permits for autonomous vehicles since 2022 and is currently reviewing the new UNECE standards to ensure compatibility with Israeli requirements. No formal applications for autonomous driving system approvals have yet been submitted.

Separately, the article highlights recent launches of premium electric and hybrid vehicles in Israel, including the Genesis GV60 crossover and the BMW 7 Series, as well as new pickup trucks from KGM and Toyota. Additionally, Israeli car importers warn of expected delays and increased costs in vehicle shipments from China due to a surge in Chinese auto exports and shipping bottlenecks, which could affect supply through the end of the year.