California Nears Ban on Driverless Trucks Amid Regulatory Concerns
🚛 California Nears Ban on Driverless Trucks Amid Regulatory Concerns.
The California Senate Transportation Committee approved Assembly Bill 316, aiming to ban driverless trucks in the state, even for testing purposes. The bill has gained significant support, and if passed, it would solidify California as the most stringent regulatory environment for autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the country, potentially denying its residents the safety and mobility benefits of AV technology. California, once a leader in AV policy, has fallen behind other states in terms of AV testing and deployment due to burdensome permitting approaches. The bill has faced opposition from unions concerned about potential job losses, but proponents argue that embracing innovation and allowing heavy-duty AVs to be safely integrated into existing regulations is the way forward.
Two years ago, California lawmakers quietly passed a complex energy bill that transformed how residents are billed for electricity.