Major automakers and technology companies are urging the Trump administration to take action to accelerate the rollout of self-driving cars. They are highlighting regulatory challenges that are slowing down progress in this important sector.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which includes nearly all major car manufacturers, sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. They are asking for a national framework focused on performance standards and want the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to be the main regulator for self-driving vehicle technology. Other organizations, such as the Consumer Technology Association and the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, also signed the letter.
The letter warns that if the federal government does not advance reasonable policies for autonomous vehicles, the U.S. risks losing its leadership in this vital industry to countries like China. The auto industry representatives argue that having multiple agencies and varying state regulations creates confusion and could compromise safety, ultimately undermining public trust in self-driving technology.
One of the key requests from these groups is for the U.S. Transportation Department to allow self-driving commercial vehicles to operate without requiring a human driver. They also want to replace physical warning devices with cab-mounted beacons for self-driving trucks.
The letter also calls on NHTSA to clarify that self-driving vehicles do not need manual driving controls and that passengers should not need a driver’s license to ride in these vehicles.
The push for regulatory change comes amid heightened scrutiny of autonomous vehicles. Recently, a pedestrian was seriously injured by a self-driving vehicle operated by Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors. This incident led NHTSA to open investigations into self-driving vehicles operated by Cruise, Waymo (owned by Google), and Zoox (owned by Amazon). In a separate case, Cruise admitted to submitting a false report to influence NHTSA’s investigation, which resulted in a $500,000 fine.
In December 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation proposed streamlining the approval process for deploying self-driving vehicles that do not have traditional controls like steering wheels or brake pedals. However, efforts in Congress to facilitate the deployment of robotaxis without human drivers have faced significant delays.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has been vocal about his plans for autonomous ride-hailing services, stating that Tesla would launch such services in Texas by June.
The letter from the automotive and tech groups is part of a broader call for more regulatory action. Earlier this year, companies in the autonomous vehicle sector urged the Transportation Department to take a more active role in overseeing vehicle design and performance.
As the conversation around self-driving cars continues, the pressure is mounting on regulators to adapt to the evolving landscape of transportation technology.