Oil and gas giant bp has successfully trialled a self-driving car at its Lingen refinery in Germany, in what the company claims is a world-first for the energy sector.

The successful trial is a result of its collaboration with autonomous vehicle software company Oxbotica, in which bp has invested $13 million (£9.5m).

The driverless vehicle travelled more than 180 kilometres and was tested in various conditions, including multiple terrains, different weather conditions, various times of day and traffic-filled junctions.

Oxbotica’s software can be installed into any vehicle and does not rely on any external infrastructure such as GPS. bp has stressed the technology can create a safer working environment for its field workers and will be easy to apply.

Erin Hallock, Managing Partner at bp Ventures, stated: “Oxbotica’s technology makes autonomous vehicles safer due to improved vision, more efficient due to reduced downtime and less carbon-intensive through forensic control of acceleration, braking and driving patterns.

“We are delighted to partner with a business at the forefront of the future of mobility that can modernise bp through autonomy and look forward to scaling the software across bp’s ecosystem.”