Trump Transition Team Aims to Make Self-Driving Vehicles a Priority
Members of President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team have told advisers they plan to make a federal framework for fully self-driving vehicles one of the Transportation Department’s priorities, according to people familiar with the matter.
Benefiting Elon Musk and Tesla
If new rules enable cars without human controls, it will directly benefit Elon Musk, the Tesla chief executive officer and Trump mega-donor who’s become a powerful fixture in the president-elect’s inner circle. He’s bet the future of the EV maker on self-driving technology and artificial intelligence.
Tesla Shares Soar
Tesla shares traded up more than 8 per cent as of 4.15 am on Monday (Nov 18) in New York, before the start of regular trading. The stock has climbed 28 per cent since election day.
Current Federal Rules Pose Hurdles
Current federal rules pose significant roadblocks for companies looking to deploy vehicles without steering wheels or foot pedals in large quantities, which Tesla plans to do. The Trump team is looking for policy leaders for the department to develop a framework to regulate self-driving vehicles, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named because they weren’t authorised to speak publicly.
Legislative Measure Being Discussed
A bipartisan legislative measure being discussed in early stages would create federal rules around AVs, two of the people said. While the Transportation Department can issue rules through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that would make it easier to deploy autonomous vehicles, an act of Congress would clear the way for mass adoption of self-driving cars.
Candidates Under Consideration
One candidate under consideration for Transportation secretary is Emil Michael, a former Uber Technologies executive who has spoken with Trump’s team and potential staffers, they said. The work is in its early stages and policy details have yet to be determined, they said. Republican Representatives Sam Graves of Missouri and Garret Graves of Louisiana have also been considered to lead the department, the people said.
Trump’s Views on Autonomous Vehicles
Musk in October announced plans to produce large numbers of driverless Tesla robotaxis that lack driver controls starting in 2026. Current US regulations pose significant hurdles to Musk’s plans for a Tesla Cybercab model, including a cap limiting their deployment. The CEO called for a federal approval process for autonomous vehicles during Tesla’s third-quarter earnings call, saying he’d use any role with the government to push for one.
Conclusion
The Trump transition team’s plan to prioritize self-driving vehicles could have significant implications for the future of the industry. With Tesla’s plans to deploy large numbers of autonomous vehicles, a favorable regulatory environment could be a major boost to the company’s ambitions.
FAQs
Q: What is the Trump transition team’s plan for self-driving vehicles?
A: The team plans to make a federal framework for fully self-driving vehicles a priority at the Transportation Department.
Q: Who stands to benefit from this plan?
A: Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, is expected to benefit directly from a favorable regulatory environment for self-driving vehicles.
Q: What are the current federal rules for self-driving vehicles?
A: Current federal rules pose significant roadblocks for companies looking to deploy vehicles without steering wheels or foot pedals in large quantities.
Q: What is the legislative measure being discussed?
A: A bipartisan legislative measure is being discussed to create federal rules around AVs.
Q: Who are the candidates under consideration for Transportation secretary?
A: Emil Michael, a former Uber Technologies executive, and Republican Representatives Sam Graves and Garret Graves are under consideration.
