The Environmental Potential of Autonomous Vehicles

Automated vehicle technologies are rapidly developing, and their emergence on the automotive landscape will likely be transformative in nature. Autonomous vehicles could provide better access to mobility that is not only significantly safer, but also potentially cheaper, cleaner, and more efficient. These technologies could play a leading role in addressing the enormous challenge of climate change, yet their ultimate environmental impact is an open question whose answer will be influenced by a large array of decisions yet to come. We have an opportunity now, while policy is in its infancy, to shape the direction of autonomous vehicles to ensure that the transformational change they will bring is overwhelmingly positive for the environment.