Three trucking companies plan to roll out driverless deliveries this year. And if the sci-fi technology transforms the way goods are trucked across the country, advocates say the climate benefits could be substantial. A new report funded by Aurora Innovation, one of the biggest players in the autonomous trucking sector, estimates that self-driving trucks could cut fuel use 13 percent to 32 percent compared with standard diesel trucks, writes Mike Lee. Road-ready companies like Aurora, Kodiak Robotics and Gatik AI along with industry backers are trying to build support for autonomous trucks among regulators and Congress. Widespread adoption could significantly bring down costs for freight carriers who would no longer have to pay human drivers. But the displacement of truck drivers, along with worries about the safety of deploying 18-wheelers without humans at the controls, remains a divisive issue. Workers have fought against self-driving trucks, arguing they are not safe enough to replace human operators. The Teamsters, who represent unionized truck drivers, pushed for a bill in California last year that would require a licensed commercial driver in self-driving trucks, but Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed it. Industry players, however, argue self-driving trucks can operate more safely than human drivers, saying trucks have logged millions of miles without the high-profile mistakes that have accompanied self-driving passenger cars. Still, the risk is notable. Long-distance trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, roughly 20 times more than an average car, and move at speeds as fast as 75 mph on rural roads. Climate boon
Transportation is the largest source of planet-warming pollution in the country, and freight makes up a fourth of the sector’s emissions. Driverless trucks, advocates say, could make a dent in reducing atmospheric pollution from diesel-powered trucks. The largest improvement would come from trucks operating at lower speeds. Drivers can work only a limited number of hours before federal rules require a rest break, which often translates to driving faster. By skipping the break, a self-driving truck can lumber along at a lower speed and still reach its destination more quickly. Driverless trucks likewise don’t have to return home at the end of a shift or detour for bathroom breaks or food. No idling to keep the air-conditioning running. Nothing so trifling as a human need.
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