June 29, 2022 – California is at risk of losing its “competitive edge” if it doesn’t lift a ban on the operation of autonomous semitrailer trucks on public roads, a group of 35 industry leaders said in an open letter to Governor Gavin Newsom.
California has permitted public testing of light-duty autonomous trucks since 2019. But vehicles that weigh more than 10,001 pounds – which include walk-in delivery trucks, semi-trucks, buses, and heavy-duty construction vehicles – are not allowed under the state’s permitting system. Class 1 and 2 trucks – which include minivans, pickup trucks, utility vans, and step vans – can receive permits for testing and commercial deliveries under the current rules.
Long-haul trucking is likely to be one of the first broad applications of automated driving technologies. Indeed, there are widespread fears in the trucking industry that autonomous technology will lead to enormous displacement among truck drivers.
via The Verge
