Global Race for Autonomous Trucks: Europe a Critical Region Transport Transformation

(IN BRIEF) In 2024, the trucking industry has made significant strides in commercializing autonomous driving technology to address challenges like high operational costs, driver shortages, and safety concerns. The global trucking fleet is expected to incorporate an additional 500,000 Level 4 (L4) autonomous vehicles, with existing drivers transitioning to supervisory roles or remaining in less developed areas. Research from IDTechEx indicates that this commercialization phase is characterized by extensive collaborations between startups and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), enabling effective retrofitting of technology onto truck chassis. Regulatory frameworks in regions like Europe, the U.S., and China are shaping growth, with the EU emphasizing a unified regulatory approach for autonomous vehicles. The IDTechEx report, “Autonomous Trucks 2024-2044,” offers insights into market share and growth prospects across key regions, alongside assessments of technical maturity and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for various autonomous systems.

(PRESS RELEASE) CAMBRIDGE, 4-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The commercialization of autonomous driving technology in the trucking industry has rapidly advanced in 2024, presenting substantial potential to address critical industry challenges such as high operational costs, driver shortages, and safety concerns. It is expected that the global trucking fleet will be supported by an additional half million L4 autonomous drivers, while the remaining drivers will either transition into supervisory roles or continue to operate in less developed regions.

Recent research by market intelligence firm IDTechEx on over ten companies in the autonomous trucking sector reveals that the industry has officially entered the commercialization phase, marked by deep collaborations across the global supply chain. Observing the market, it is evident that active startups are universally building their software or retrofitting technology on truck chassis provided by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). This approach not only alleviates the pressures associated with mass production but also allows these startups to leverage OEM technical support. The industry is thus evolving into a combined business model comprising OEMs, downstream logistics companies, and autonomous driving firms.

The global commercialization of autonomous trucks in 2024 is being shaped significantly by regional regulations and government policies. Countries with advanced testing and regulatory frameworks are leading the way in fostering innovation and deployment, while others are working to catch up. Key markets like Europe, the U.S., and China have adopted different approaches to enabling the growth of autonomous trucking, primarily influenced by their respective regulatory environments, infrastructure development, and governmental support.

IDTechEx Technology Analyst Shihao Fu explains: “Europe is emerging as a critical region for the development of autonomous trucking due to its robust regulatory support. The European Commission has introduced several policy initiatives under the “Europe on the Move” agenda, aiming to create a single European framework for autonomous vehicles.

Countries such as Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands are pioneers in autonomous trucking testing and deployment. Sweden’s Einride, for instance, is already conducting commercial operations with fixed-route L4 autonomous trucks across several European countries. In Germany, the landmark law on autonomous driving passed in 2021 allows for Level 4 operations in specific areas without the need for human intervention, setting a precedent for other European nations.”

The European Union’s focus on environmental sustainability is also pushing the adoption of autonomous electric trucks as part of broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. However, different regulatory timelines and certification standards across member states still pose challenges for seamless cross-border autonomous operations. The European Commission is actively working on harmonizing these regulations to enable smoother integration of autonomous trucking across the continent.

The IDTechEx report, “Autonomous Trucks 2024-2044: Technologies, Trends, Forecasts” provides detailed insights into the market share and growth prospects of key regions, including Europe, China, and the U.S.. In addition to routes to commercial L4 deliveries, the report also includes assessments of technical maturity, value chain positioning, business models, and practical calculations to determine the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for different levels of autonomous systems (L0, L2, L3, L4) across various markets. To learn more please visit www.IDTechEx.com/AutoTrucks.

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Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the commercialization of autonomous driving technology in the trucking industry:

1. What is the current state of autonomous driving technology in the trucking industry?
In 2024, the trucking industry is experiencing rapid advancements in the commercialization of autonomous driving technology, with a focus on integrating Level 4 (L4) autonomous vehicles into the global trucking fleet.

2. How many autonomous trucks are expected to be added to the global fleet?
The global trucking fleet is anticipated to incorporate an additional 500,000 L4 autonomous trucks.

3. What challenges does autonomous driving technology aim to address in the trucking industry?
This technology seeks to tackle critical challenges such as high operational costs, driver shortages, and safety concerns in the trucking sector.

4. How are startups collaborating with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)?
Startups are developing software or retrofitting existing technology onto truck chassis provided by OEMs. This approach reduces production pressures and allows startups to benefit from OEM technical support.

5. Which regions are leading in the development of autonomous trucking?
Europe, the U.S., and China are key markets, with Europe emerging as a leader due to its robust regulatory support and initiatives to promote autonomous vehicles.

6. What are the regulatory challenges facing the autonomous trucking industry?
Different regulatory timelines and certification standards across countries can complicate seamless cross-border operations for autonomous trucks.

7. How does the European Union’s focus on sustainability impact autonomous trucking?
The EU’s commitment to environmental sustainability is driving the adoption of autonomous electric trucks to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector.

8. Where can I find more information about the market for autonomous trucks?
The IDTechEx report titled “Autonomous Trucks 2024-2044” provides detailed insights into market share, growth prospects, and assessments of technical maturity across different regions. More information can be found at IDTechEx.com/AutoTrucks.

SOURCE: IDTechEx