Why Did California Governor Gavin Newsom Veto Bill Banning Driverless Robotrucks?

California Governor Gavin Newsom‘s decision to veto a bill that sought to ban autonomous heavy-duty trucks from operating without safety drivers has raised questions about the state’s approach to regulating self-driving technology.

What Happened: The labor-backed Assembly Bill 316, which had passed both houses of the California state legislature with significant support, aimed to require a trained human driver to be present in autonomous vehicles weighing over 10,001 pounds. 

However, Governor Newsom has vetoed the bill, stating, “Considering…the existing regulatory framework that presently and sufficiently governs this particular technology, this bill is not needed at this time,” reported Reuters. 

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Newsom has also directed the labor and workforce development agency to formulate recommendations to mitigate potential job impacts arising from the deployment of autonomous heavy-duty trucks. 

Supporters of autonomous trucking argue that the veto is crucial for advancing the technology and ensuring investments in autonomous infrastructure remain in California. 

On the opposing side, labor unions, led by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, have voiced concerns about safety and job losses associated with autonomous trucks, some of which can weigh over 80,000 pounds. 

According to Allied Market Research, the global market for self-driving trucks is expected to be worth $13.11 billion by 2025 and could reach $41.21 billion by 2035. This means it’s likely to grow by an average of 12.1% each year between 2025 and 2035.

Why It's Important: For the unversed, while several states, such as Texas and Arkansas, have permitted the testing and operation of self-driving trucks, California has imposed restrictions on autonomous trucks weighing over 10,001 pounds. 

The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles has been working on a regulatory framework to lift this restriction, the report noted citing industry sources.

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