Speaking at an event hosted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) at CES 2019, Fox said the sector was at the forefront of “the biggest transformation in transportation for generations”.

According to government figures, low-emission vehicle numbers in the UK have risen 50 per cent since 2016, while several trials of autonomous cars have already taken place in different parts of the UK. 

“We are delivering major investment, as part of a coherent strategy, developed with industry, to support electric, autonomous and connected vehicles,” Fox said.

Driverless car technology is one of the most prominent themes at the annual trade show held in Las Vegas.

On Monday, Fox – the UK’s international trade secretary – defended his appearance at both CES 2019 and glittering events in Los Angeles linked to the film and television Golden Globe Awards by saying he was supporting British businesses overseas.

“The UK’s tech and automotive sectors are truly world-class – contributing billions to the British economy and employing millions of people – and this year we have brought the biggest-ever British delegation in the history of the show,” he said during a speech at the event.

“This week will see our firms launch new products, sign major export deals and secure investment – all of which drives growth and job creation back in the UK.

“We’ve always had a reputation as a nation of innovators and this year at CES we are reminding the rest of the world why.”

The timing of the trip had been questioned, falling as it does during a crucial time in the Brexit negotiations and ahead of the critical vote on the Withdrawal Agreement, which is expected to take place next Tuesday.

He said he wanted to “highlight” the abilities of British companies and that certain parts of Britain needed to “stop wallowing in the sense of misplaced fear around Brexit and recognise how strong our economy actually is.”

Speaking at the SMMT event, Fox said some of the challenges faced by the UK are “inherently global” and “can only be solved by international cooperation”, adding that events such as CES were a way of creating international partnerships.

During the trade show, CES 2019 organisers the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) named the UK among the 16 countries leading the world in having the best environment for innovation.

The annual technology event is expected to welcome more than 180,000 people before it closes on Friday.

Major tech companies have been showing off their latest wares at the show, with LG demonstrating a roll-up, foldable TV and Samsung unveiling a range of assistive robots designed to help around the home.

Interested in hybrid electric vehicles? Check out the IETs’ Vehicle and Grid seminar, 27 February 2019: Coventry Transport Museum. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) are emerging as promising alternative solutions in the transportation sector to reduce or replace the dependency on fossil fuels and combat emissions commensurate with conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

Speaking at an event hosted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) at CES 2019, Fox said the sector was at the forefront of “the biggest transformation in transportation for generations”.

According to government figures, low-emission vehicle numbers in the UK have risen 50 per cent since 2016, while several trials of autonomous cars have already taken place in different parts of the UK. 

“We are delivering major investment, as part of a coherent strategy, developed with industry, to support electric, autonomous and connected vehicles,” Fox said.

Driverless car technology is one of the most prominent themes at the annual trade show held in Las Vegas.

On Monday, Fox – the UK’s international trade secretary – defended his appearance at both CES 2019 and glittering events in Los Angeles linked to the film and television Golden Globe Awards by saying he was supporting British businesses overseas.

“The UK’s tech and automotive sectors are truly world-class – contributing billions to the British economy and employing millions of people – and this year we have brought the biggest-ever British delegation in the history of the show,” he said during a speech at the event.

“This week will see our firms launch new products, sign major export deals and secure investment – all of which drives growth and job creation back in the UK.

“We’ve always had a reputation as a nation of innovators and this year at CES we are reminding the rest of the world why.”

The timing of the trip had been questioned, falling as it does during a crucial time in the Brexit negotiations and ahead of the critical vote on the Withdrawal Agreement, which is expected to take place next Tuesday.

He said he wanted to “highlight” the abilities of British companies and that certain parts of Britain needed to “stop wallowing in the sense of misplaced fear around Brexit and recognise how strong our economy actually is.”

Speaking at the SMMT event, Fox said some of the challenges faced by the UK are “inherently global” and “can only be solved by international cooperation”, adding that events such as CES were a way of creating international partnerships.

During the trade show, CES 2019 organisers the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) named the UK among the 16 countries leading the world in having the best environment for innovation.

The annual technology event is expected to welcome more than 180,000 people before it closes on Friday.

Major tech companies have been showing off their latest wares at the show, with LG demonstrating a roll-up, foldable TV and Samsung unveiling a range of assistive robots designed to help around the home.

Interested in hybrid electric vehicles? Check out the IETs’ Vehicle and Grid seminar, 27 February 2019: Coventry Transport Museum. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) are emerging as promising alternative solutions in the transportation sector to reduce or replace the dependency on fossil fuels and combat emissions commensurate with conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.