(fra kommisjonsforordningen)

(1) The Union type-approval legislation allows since 2022 the market introduction of driverless vehicles for specific use cases, by means of a small series scheme, allowing exemptions from certain type-approval regulations for fully automated vehicles. The derogations under this small series scheme apply under the condition that the number of registrations of a vehicle type in the Union per year does not exceed 1500 registrations. 

(2) Substantial technological and regulatory developments have taken place since 2022 making the large-scale deployment of fully automated vehicles possible. Solutions for automated valet parking (AVP) large-scale production and deployment are already available and the adoption of requirements for steering and braking of dual-mode vehicles in the UNECE, in particular UN Regulations No 792 and No 13/13-H 3 respectively, allows for compliance of AVP systems with the EU whole vehicle typeapproval framework. Therefore, it has become possible and appropriate to lift the small series limitation starting with the (‘AVP’) use case. 

(3) However, before allowing the whole-vehicle type-approval of vehicles equipped with AVP systems in unlimited numbers, it is necessary to lay down additional technical requirements on the safety performance and the safety validation through selected scenarios, given the specificities of the AVP use case, i.e. operation in parking areas at very low speed. 

(4) Extension of scope of the existing Union legislation beyond dual mode vehicles and its alignment with the evolving United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) framework, necessary to enable harmonised interpretation and application at international level, require adaptation of several definitions included in this legislation. 

(5) Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1426 should therefore be amended accordingly. 

(6) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Technical Committee – Motor Vehicles (TCMV),