Not quite a decade ago, two technologies were racing toward an unseen finish line. They weren’t competing with each other — the adoption of one didn’t lock out the other. But to avoid catastrophic climate consequences, the order of the finish mattered.
Autonomous Vehicles: The Initial Momentum
Autonomous vehicles had made considerable progress since the first ones cautiously completed the DARPA Grand Challenge in 2007. Ten years later, seemingly everyone had a self-driving division. Autonomous vehicles seemed to have momentum on their side, and it wasn’t clear which one would take the checkered flag.
Electric Vehicles: The Slow Start
Meanwhile, electric vehicles were off to a slow start. Early models could go less than 100 miles per charge on batteries that cost about a third of the cost of the entire car. Tesla broke the mold in 2012 with the Model S, but it was priced outside the bulk of the U.S. auto market. By 2017, the picture hadn’t changed much.
The Turning Point
What a difference five years makes! Autonomous vehicles have largely stalled while EVs have surged ahead. Self-driving vehicles may have conquered many mundane driving scenarios, but they’re still frequently stymied by other situations that human drivers navigate on a daily basis — pedestrians, inclement weather, construction zones.
Yes, Waymo and Cruise are operating taxi services that are open to the public, but they’re only available in parts of Tempe and San Francisco, respectively, cities they’ve been mapping and testing in for years. As anyone who’s driven in a different city knows, each metro area has its own quirks. Making the leap to a new city won’t be easy.
The Rise of Electric Vehicles
EVs, on the other hand, have been ascendant. Battery prices have fallen from over $1,000 per kilowatt-hour in the early 2010s to just over $100. Investors are pouring money into battery startups, and battery manufacturers are racing to build a global network of factories.
While affordable EVs remain rare, prices have come down since the Model S was introduced, and the number of models has expanded dramatically. Sales in Europe, China, and the U.S. have seen significant growth, with many countries setting targets for electric vehicle adoption.
The Two Paths: Autonomous Vehicles vs. Electric Vehicles
Autonomous vehicles are focusing on developing advanced AI capabilities to navigate complex urban environments. However, this path is fraught with challenges, including regulatory hurdles and public acceptance issues.
Electric vehicles, on the other hand, have taken a different approach. They’re focused on reducing emissions and improving air quality in urban areas. With governments around the world setting targets for electric vehicle adoption, it’s clear that EVs are gaining momentum.
The Unseen Finish Line
But what about the unseen finish line? What if autonomous vehicles and electric vehicles aren’t competing with each other at all? What if they’re actually complementary technologies, working together to create a more sustainable transportation future?
Imagine a world where self-driving cars are powered by clean energy sources like solar or wind power. Where cities have optimized their infrastructure for electric vehicles, reducing emissions and improving air quality.
The Future of Transportation
As we look to the future of transportation, it’s clear that autonomous vehicles and electric vehicles will play critical roles. But which path will we choose? Will we prioritize advanced AI capabilities or clean energy sources?
One thing is certain: the order of the finish line matters. If we can find a way to combine the benefits of both technologies, we may just be able to avoid catastrophic climate consequences and create a more sustainable transportation future.
The Experts Weigh In
Tim De Chant, a lecturer in MIT’s Graduate Program in Science Writing, notes: “Autonomous vehicles and electric vehicles are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they can complement each other perfectly. By prioritizing clean energy sources and optimizing infrastructure for electric vehicles, we can create a more sustainable transportation future.”
Sarah Perez, a tech journalist, adds: “The key to success lies in collaboration between industries and governments. We need to invest in research and development of both autonomous vehicles and electric vehicles, as well as build out the necessary infrastructure to support widespread adoption.”
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, it’s clear that transportation will play a critical role. By combining the benefits of autonomous vehicles and electric vehicles, we may just be able to avoid catastrophic climate consequences and create a more sustainable future.
Related Articles
- "The Future of Transportation: Electric or Autonomous?" by Tim De Chant
- "Autonomous Vehicles: The Road Ahead" by Sarah Perez
About the Author
Tim De Chant is a lecturer in MIT’s Graduate Program in Science Writing and has written extensively on the intersection of technology and society. He received his PhD in environmental science, policy, and management from the University of California, Berkeley.
Sarah Perez is a tech journalist who has covered the latest developments in autonomous vehicles and electric vehicles. She has also written about the impact of these technologies on industries and governments.
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