Team Trump Exploring New Self-Driving Rules For Autonomous Vehicles
Members of President-elect Donald Trump’s team are reportedly prioritizing the creation of a federal framework for fully autonomous vehicles.
This move would look to reshape the regulatory landscape for self-driving technology—an area lawmakers have tiptoed through thus far. According to a Bloomberg report, the initiative is still in the early stages but has the potential to remove significant roadblocks for companies like Tesla, Cruise, and Waymo, which all have ambitious plans for driverless taxis and ridesharing.
Current U.S. regulations limit AV deployment to just 2,500 vehicles per manufacturer, annually—which, for better or for worse, caps large-scale implementation. Trump’s team is exploring ways to enable mass adoption, potentially through bipartisan legislation or regulatory changes within the Department of Transportation.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a Trump supporter and key figure in the transition’s inner circle, has been vocal about the need for federal AV rules. His plans to launch Tesla’s Cybercab, a driverless vehicle without traditional controls, depend on regulatory changes.
The push for AV legislation is not new. Previous efforts, including a House-passed bill during Trump’s first term, have stalled in the Senate. A similar initiative under the Biden administration failed over disagreements about legal protections for consumers.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the cut-throat world of IndyCar.
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