Car market, Estonia, Markets and Companies, Technology, Transport

Describing a rapid and flexible legislative procedure, implementation of 5G by Telia and Ericsson in 2018, strong academic and cyber defense competencies and day-to-day practice, as well as the presence of a nationwide electric car charging network as very strong advantages of Estonia, Roivas, former prime minister of Estonia, said that the signatories wish international manufacturers of self-driving cars to come to Estonia to do development work here and test their services.  

Palling added that in order to be noticed by big international companies, Estonia must be able to compete with countries which have taken similar steps already.

"Estonia has all prerequisites to become the best base for developing self-driving cars in the world, therefore we are ready to allow the testing of technology on public roads. This is a big competitive advantage compared with most other countries where self-driving cars can be operated only in sealed-off areas specially designated for it," Palling said. 

A joint expert group of the Government Office of Estonia and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications announced last week that Estonia is opening its roads to self-driving cars.  

Roivas and Palling, who both come from the opposition Reform Party, sent their invitation to the managers of Daimler, Tesla, Uber, Volvo and Waymo.