The electric-vehicle company Tesla Motors and the 12-member Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers — representing automotive giants such as General Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen — have filed a petition with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seeking permission to abandon wing mirrors in favour of tiny cameras.

The petition was filed on the day that a law was passed requiring rear-view cameras to be fitted to all light-duty vehicles produced after mid-2018.

Wing mirrors are required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No 111, but Tesla and the Alliance argue that cameras could be just as safe. “In light of future ‘greenhouse gas’ and ‘average fuel economy’ requirements beginning in 2017, camera-based systems represent an opportunity to increase vehicles’ fuel efficiency by eliminating externally mounted mirrors.”

The concept version of the Tesla Model X ‘cross-over’ was shown with cameras instead of wing mirrors in 2012, but a subsequent version appeared at the Detroit automotive show in 2013 with traditional wing mirrors.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen has used cameras instead of mirrors on its XL1 (pictured), an aerodynamic diesel-hybrid two-seater that is billed as the world’s most efficient car. In addition, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz both equip cars with systems that offer a 360deg ‘bird’s eye’ view to help drivers manoeuvre in car parks.