Source: Linda Baker put together a post for FreightWaves on what the incoming Biden administration might mean in terms of self-driving vehicles and vehicular emission regualations and it is excerpted below.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The incoming Biden administration is expected to increase regulatory oversight of electric and self-driving cars and trucks.
FreightWaves spoke to a few investors and analysts in the mobility and freight tech space, as well as the CEOs of a couple of autonomous trucking and delivery companies, about what they expect from a Biden presidency. Here are a few of the takeaways on autonomous vehicles:
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) under the Trump administration has been criticized for a lax approach to autonomous vehicle (AV) safety, Perhaps mindful of those criticisms, AV companies contacted by FreightWaves issued generic statements about autonomous vehicles improving road safety and their willingness to work with the new administration.
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In an emailed statement to FreightWaves, Robert Brown, head of government relations and public affairs for the self-driving trucking technology startup TuSimple, noted President Barack Obama initiated the first AV guidance, providing a framework for manufacturers and developers for designing, testing and deploying self-driving cars and trucks.
That effort continued under the leadership of Trump administration, with the release of AV 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0.
“Road safety is not a partisan issue,” Brown said, “and AVs’ promise of increased safety and a reduction of accidents will always be supported by US DOT.”
AV guidance under both the Obama and Trump administrations expanded AV testing, but Trump guidance did aim to relax the ability of federal safety regulators to police automated vehicle safety.
One leading company that did not want to speak publicly told FreightWaves they expect a Biden administration to take a more active, hands on approach to regulating autonomous vehicles.
Shawn Kerrigan, COO and cofounder, Plus, a self-driving trucking technology company, sent the following statement:
“Working together to safely bring automated trucks to market is good for everyone given that automated trucks will create societal and economic benefits of increased safety, improved fuel efficiency, and reduced carbon emissions,” he said.
“We welcome strong and clear safety-focused regulations at the local, state and federal levels that are necessary to provide the industry and consumers the confidence needed to roll out this transformative technology.”
The entire post can be viewed by clicking HERE.
