🚘 Self-driving cars aren’t here yet. California has a new law in the works, anyway

Lawmakers in the Golden State want to require all AVs (autonomous vehicles) be zero emission by 2025. 

Given that we don’t have AVs available in any significant sense yet, it means that by the time they actually hit the market all of them would have to run on electricity. 

• California’s law is about ridesharing and trucking more than anything: These types of industries may be the earliest adopters, and they are also responsible, on a per capita basis, for more air pollution. A regular person drives about 10,000 to 12,000 miles a year, for instance, while a rideshare driver may go for 30,000 miles. 

• AVs will also bring more people to the road: One study has suggested that car trips may increase as much as 66% if people can use autonomous vehicles. 

Many AV makers are not ready for the EV edict yet

AV models of the Ford Fusion and Chrysler Pacifica are hybrids and still use some gas. They have computer systems that burn up a battery quickly, making a traditional fuel source beneficial.

The Verdict

The bill is unlikely to move through California’s legislature for a while. But freight companies, according to TechCrunch, are already looking for an exemption for their AVs.