Self-driving trucks hop on climate bandwagon

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May 03, 2024 View in browser   By Arianna Skibell Presented by  Automated trucks at Kodiak Robotics' operation in Dallas. | Mike Lee/POLITICO's E&E News Three trucking companies plan to roll out driverless deliveries this year. And if the sci-fi technology transforms the way goods are trucked across the country, advocates say the climate benefits could be substantial. A new report funded by Aurora Innovation, one of the biggest players in the autonomous trucking sector, estimates that self-driving trucks could cut fuel use 13 percent to 32 percent compared with standard diesel trucks, writes Mike Lee. Road-ready companies like Aurora, Kodiak Robotics and Gatik AI along with industry backers are trying to build support for autonomous trucks among regulators and Congress. Widespread adoption could significantly bring down costs for freight carriers who would no longer have to pay human drivers. But the displacement of truck drivers, along with worries about the safety of deploying 18-wheelers without humans at the controls, remains a divisive issue. Workers have fought against self-driving trucks, arguing they are not safe enough to replace human operators. The Teamsters, who represent unionized truck drivers, pushed for a bill in California last year that would require a licensed commercial driver in self-driving trucks, but Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed it. Industry players, however, argue self-driving trucks can operate more safely than human drivers, saying trucks have logged millions of miles without the high-profile mistakes that have accompanied self-driving passenger cars. Still, the risk is notable. Long-distance trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, roughly 20 times more than an average car, and move at speeds as fast as 75 mph on rural roads. Climate boon Transportation is the largest source of planet-warming pollution in the country, and freight makes up a fourth of the sector’s emissions. Driverless trucks, advocates say, could make a dent in reducing atmospheric pollution from diesel-powered trucks. The largest improvement would come from trucks operating at lower speeds. Drivers can work only a limited number of hours before federal rules require a rest break, which often translates to driving faster. By skipping the break, a self-driving truck can lumber along at a lower speed and still reach its destination more quickly. Driverless trucks likewise don’t have to return home at the end of a shift or detour for bathroom breaks or food. No idling to keep the air-conditioning running. Nothing so trifling as a human need.   Thank goodness it's Friday  — thank you for tuning in to POLITICO's Power Switch. I'm your host, Arianna Skibell. Power Switch is brought to you by the journalists behind E&E News and POLITICO Energy. Send your tips, comments, questions to askibell@eenews.net. And folks, let's keep it classy.   A message from NRECA: Keeping the lights on has never been more important. Families, businesses and America’s national security depend on reliable electricity every day. That’s why electric co-ops are fighting for smarter energy policies that prioritize reliability and affordability for all. Learn more.   Listen to today’s POLITICO Energy podcast Today in POLITICO Energy’s podcast: Matt Daily breaks down why the Federal Trade Commission is allowing Exxon Mobil to buy Pioneer Natural Resources on the condition that Pioneer’s founder does not serve on Exxon’s board.   A message from NRECA:   Power Centers A worker checks car batteries at a factory in Nanjing, China | STR/AFP via Getty Images EV tax credits draw fire from both sides The Biden administration's final rules for its its electric vehicle tax credits — unveiled today — attempt to balance boosting EV adoption to fight climate change with curbing China’s dominance of the supply chain, writes Hannah Northey. But the suite of rules, which includes hard-fought concessions for automakers, has garnered anger from the mining sector and some in Congress who want to see the U.S. adopt a more aggressive approach to China, while making it more difficult for consumers to actually take advantage of the lucrative incentive to buy EVs. In fact, under the new regulations, only around 20 percent of electric models qualify for the $7,500 tax credit, writes James Bikales. Meanwhile, Republican senators have already introduced a bill to repeal the entire electric vehicle tax credit program. Notably, Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a vocal critic of the program, did not sign onto the measure. Power plant rule provokes reliability concern The expected closure of one of the biggest fossil fuel plants in the mid-Atlantic region is highlighting the tension underscoring the Biden administration's new climate rule for power plants, writes Peter Behr. How can the U.S. usher polluting plants off the grid while guaranteeing electricity can be generated and shipped from elsewhere to meet rising demand?   THE GOLD STANDARD OF ENERGY POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries, like energy, equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists. Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other. 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Aggressive new EPA drinking water standards could drive more municipal water utilities to privatize. | AFP via Getty Images The Biden administration's strict new drinking water rules for toxic forever chemicals could spur more sales of public water systems to private companies. Billionaire investor Warren Buffett helped defeat a shareholder proposal that could have pushed Occidental Petroleum to disclose more information about its lobbying efforts and trade group affiliations. Two major airlines with public pledges to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 say they’re likely to fall short without help from Congress. That's it for today, folks. Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend!   POLITICO IS BACK AT THE 2024 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO will again be your eyes and ears at the 27th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles from May 5-8 with exclusive, daily, reporting in our Global Playbook newsletter. Suzanne Lynch will be on the ground covering the biggest moments, behind-the-scenes buzz and on-stage insights from global leaders in health, finance, tech, philanthropy and beyond. Get a front-row seat to where the most interesting minds and top global leaders confront the world’s most pressing and complex challenges — subscribe today.       A message from NRECA: American families and businesses expect the lights to stay on at a cost they can afford. But that’s no longer a guarantee. Over the next five years, 19 states from Montana to Louisiana are at high risk of rolling blackouts during normal peak conditions. We must have a serious conversation in this country about where we’re going and what it will take to realistically get there. Policymakers cannot overlook the laws of physics or the reality of the current situation. The stakes are too high to get this wrong. As electricity demand grows and supply fails to keep up, bad public policy is making the problem worse. That’s why America’s electric co-ops are fighting for smarter energy policies that prioritize reliability and affordability for all. Electric co-ops have a better plan. Learn more.     Follow us on Twitter Arianna Skibell @ariannaskibell   Follow us

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