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Q&amp;A: How big, loud <b>trucks</b> quietly shape people's lives | Penn Today

Many motorists cruising highways recently have likely found themselves stuck behind a truck that seems to be moving more slowly than usual. That perception is real. With diesel prices rising, truckers are dialing it back, trading speed for fuel economy, and in the process, subtly shifting the cadence of global supply chains. “In the United States, trucks carry more than 70% of all freight,” says Penn sociologist Steve Viscelli, who studies the economics of trucking. “So, when diesel spikes, transportation costs rise, supply chains tighten, and everyday goods—from fresh produce to consumer electronics—become more expensive. But fuel is only part of the story.” Viscelli talked to Penn Today about some of the challenges facing American truckers today. How does a spike in diesel prices reach consumers? Diesel’s incredible energy density makes it the lifeblood of logistics. A typical big rig weighs 40,000 pounds unladen, and legally, you can load an additional 40,000 pounds of freight on top of that. To move an 80,000-pound vehicle across the country, diesel is currently the only real way to do it. When you look at energy-intensive, long-haul operations, diesel can make up over a third of your total costs. When diesel prices spike by 20% or 25%, the effects cascade instantly. When those costs spike, logistics can account for approximately 8.8% of our GDP. A sustained spike has the potential to create a percent or two of inflationary pressure across thousands of categories of everyday items we all need. How has the trucking job market changed in recent years? It goes back to deregulation. We used to regulate trucking almost like a public utility to ensure a level playing field. Prices were collectively set, and the government made sure rural places didn’t get gouged by carriers. Before the 1980s, trucking was a really good

AI, Robotics and Automated Mining: The Future of Excavators and Mining Machinery Parts

The global mining industry is embracing profound transformation driven by artificial intelligence, robotics and full automation. Intelligent excavators and driverless mining trucks have become mainstream equipment for modern mines, greatly enhancing operational safety and production efficiency. Along with the upgrade of mining machinery, the standards and demands for professional mining machinery parts have also been continuously improved. Reliable spare parts act as a solid foundation to ensure the stable running of all automated mining fleets. Evolution of Automated Mining Equipment Nowadays, major equipment brands have launched mature intelligent mining solutions. Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi and Terex have optimized their classic models with AI control modules and robotic operating systems. The product line covers Caterpillar 773, 777, 793 series mining trucks, Komatsu HD785, 930E, PC1250, PC2000 series excavators, Hitachi EX and ZX series large excavators, as well as Terex TR50, TR100, MT4400 series haulage trucks. These automated machines work around the clock in harsh mine environments. Compared with traditional manual equipment, intelligent mining machinery puts forward stricter requirements on component stability, wear resistance and matching precision. High-quality mining machinery parts directly decide the continuous working capacity of robotic excavators and dump trucks. New Requirements for Mining Machinery Parts in the AI Era The combination of AI and robotics has completely changed the mode of equipment maintenance. Most smart mining devices are equipped with real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance systems, which can track the operating status and wear degree of key parts all the time. This mode turns passive breakdown repair into active preventive maintenance. Under this trend, mining machinery parts need to meet higher industrial standards. Core components including swing motors, final drives, hydraulic pumps, control valves, engine parts and seal kits must maintain stable performance during long-term high-frequency operation. Meanwhile, genuine, OEM, used and remanufactured parts all play important roles. Remanufactured

PepsiCo expanding <b>autonomous truck</b> use in its supply chain | Trucking Dive

Dive Brief: - PepsiCo plans to deploy more Gatik autonomous trucks across its North American supply chain in a multi-year deal, according to a press release from the food and beverage company. - PepsiCo has worked with Gatik since 2022 and currently operates a fleet of 41 autonomous trucks across Texas, Arizona and Arkansas, Gatik told Supply Chain Dive in an email. - “Autonomous trucking, particularly on short, repeatable routes, has the potential to support more consistent operations and reduce variability—helping us deliver a more dependable service experience,” PepsiCo said in an email. Dive Insight: Deploying autonomous trucks is part of a deliberate effort by PepsiCo to modernize how products move across its transportation network, PepsiCo said. PepsiCo’s agreement with Gatik is centered around adding capacity where needed, such as high-demand regional networks “that are hard to staff and critical to keeping shelves stocked for consumers,” the release said. “As you can imagine, deploying driverless trucks in a supply chain as complex as PepsiCo's is a nuanced and carefully orchestrated process,” Gatik said. “Our North Star is safety, therefore, we took the necessary time to clear extensive safety assessments and integrate into PepsiCo's supply chain in a reliable and safe manner.” Gatik’s driverless trucks can be used for end-to-end deliveries on highways and surface streets. They can also change routes when needed for complex regional logistics networks and reach hundreds of pickup and drop-off locations, per the release. “This enables PepsiCo to modify route plans in response to daily operational needs, including adding or removing stops, responding to shifts in demand, and adapting to activity levels across distribution centers,” per the release. Such flexibility gives PepsiCo room to improve on-time performance and add capacity without changing its existing operations. PepsiCo has been testing new fleet technologies to optimize its transport

Bull of the Day: Caterpillar (CAT)

Bull of the Day: Caterpillar (CAT) Caterpillar Company Overview Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company Caterpillar (CAT), known for its iconic yellow machines, is the largest global construction and mining equipment manufacturer. Given that it serves a gamut of sectors - infrastructure, construction, mining, oil & gas and transportation, the company is considered a bellwether of the global economy. Since 1925, Caterpillar’s product portfolio has evolved and boasts 20 brands and generated revenues of $67.6 billion in 2025. It has more than 4 million products with an extensive dealer network of 156 dealers spanning 190 countries. Caterpillar started using telematics in the 1990s and reached its target of 1 million connected assets in 2019. It currently has more than 1.5 million connected assets. The combination of innovation, and cutting-edge technology, coupled with the formidable reputation, set Caterpillar apart from its peers. Benefitting from the AI Data Center Boom The artificial intelligence and cloud computing boom has transformed this legacy industrial giant into a crucial "picks and shovels" player for the physical layer of the AI revolution. The defining challenge for hyperscale AI data centers is securing enough electrical power, and connecting a massive campus to the traditional utility grid can take years due to regulatory hurdles, transmission line shortages, and grid capacity constraints. To bypass these delays, data center developers are increasingly choosing to skip the grid entirely or build decentralized, on-site power infrastructure to accelerate their time to market, which has sparked an unprecedented surge in demand for Caterpillar's Energy & Transportation segment. Developers are deploying massive arrays of Caterpillar's natural gas and diesel reciprocating engines, as well as industrial gas turbines through its Solar Turbines subsidiary, to generate electricity directly on-site and provide the continuous, high-output baseload reliability that compute-heavy AI workloads demand. Record Backlog Provides Future Revenue

Interview with CEO: How Parallel Systems plans to transform freight with <b>autonomous</b> rail

Autonomous trucks have dominated discussion around the future of freight transportation for much of the past decade, attracting billions of dollars in investment and extensive media attention. Yet another mode of transport – freight rail – is quietly undergoing its own transformation. Matt Soule, founder and CEO of Parallel Systems, believes autonomous rail could become one of the most significant developments in logistics. A former SpaceX engineer who spent 13 years helping develop advanced aerospace systems, Soule founded the Los Angeles-based company with the goal of reimagining rail freight using autonomous, battery-electric technology. Rather than relying on traditional diesel locomotives pulling long trains, Parallel Systems has developed self-propelled autonomous rail vehicles that can operate in smaller platoons. The company says the approach offers greater flexibility, lower operating costs, and zero-emission transportation while making rail a viable option for shorter freight routes that have historically been dominated by trucks. The company has raised more than $100 million and is currently conducting commercial testing with Genesee & Wyoming Railroad in Georgia under the oversight of the Federal Railroad Administration. The program represents one of the most advanced real-world demonstrations of autonomous rail technology currently under way in the United States. In this interview with Robotics & Automation News, Soule discusses why freight rail is reaching a technological turning point, how autonomous railcars differ from conventional trains, and why he believes rail could capture more than $100 billion worth of freight currently moved by trucks. He also outlines his vision of a future logistics network where autonomous trucks, robotic warehouses, AI-driven routing systems, and autonomous rail vehicles operate as a coordinated ecosystem. According to Soule, these technologies will form a highly synchronized transportation network in which goods move continuously through supply chains with minimal friction. Perhaps most notably, he argues that autonomous freight

Readers' choice for innovations in warehouse, transport, and fleet begins

LOGISTRA best practice 2026: Readers' choice for innovations in warehouse, transport, and fleet begins LOGISTRA has launched the seventh edition of the reader's choice award "LOGISTRA best practice: Innovations 2026". A total of 24 products and solutions from eight categories are up for election. According to the trade magazine, the aim is to highlight innovations that address specific challenges in logistics and support operational processes. The voting is directed at professionals and executives from the logistics sector. Participants evaluate the nominated products based on innovation, practicality, and relevance to the industry. The winners will be presented in the respective categories after the completion of the voting. Eight Categories Focused on Practical Relevance The 24 candidates are distributed across eight themes. These include, among others, “AMR, Shuttles, Forklifts,” “Digital Warehouse,” “Digital Fleet Solutions,” as well as “Packaging and Shipping.” According to LOGISTRA, the nominees were selected from the innovations presented in recent months. Particular consideration was given to the degree of innovation, practicality, and availability on the market or foreseeable market readiness. Electrification, Automation, and Digitalization in Focus This year's nominations reflect several key development trends in logistics, according to the trade magazine. The focus is particularly on electrification, automation, and digitalization. The nominated solutions include autonomous industrial trucks, automated storage and picking systems, digital fleet solutions, artificial intelligence applications, as well as concepts for low-emission transport and charging infrastructure. Solutions for increasing efficiency in warehousing, shipping, and transport are also represented. The Nominees at a Glance Category “AMR, Shuttles, Forklifts” - Jungheinrich: Electric Counterbalanced Forklift EFG 2/2i and 3/3i - Linde Material Handling: Visibility-Optimized Electric Forklifts Xi Roadster - Still: AXL 15 iGo for Automated Truck Loading and Unloading Category “Trailers and Bodies” - Berger: Lightweight Vehicle “BERGER PerformanceCoil” - Kögel Trailer: E-Optimized “Kögel Light Plus” Trailer - Schwarzmüller: Revised

<b>Autonomous</b> &amp; <b>Self-Driving</b> Vehicle News: Waymo, Apple, STEER Beep, indie, Toyota, Tier ...

In autonomous and self-driving vehicle news are Waymo, Apple, STEER Beep, indie, Toyota, Tier IV, QCraft, Qualcomm, Baidu, Tesla, Volvo & Aurora. In this Article Waymo Acquires Former Apple Autonomous Vehicle Test Facility in Arizona for $220 Million Waymo has purchased a 5,500-acre autonomous vehicle proving ground in Wittmann, Arizona, from Apple’s holding company, Route 14 Investment Partners, for approximately $220 million. The facility was previously developed as a key testing site for Apple’s now-cancelled Project Titan self-driving car program. The expansive site includes a simulated urban driving environment, a vehicle dynamics course, a four-mile oval track, and a dedicated freeway testing area, making it one of the most comprehensive autonomous vehicle testing facilities in the United States. Waymo plans to use the proving ground for rider-only testing, validation of vehicle motion-control systems, operational training, and future development programs. The acquisition gives the company its largest closed-course testing facility, complementing its existing testing operations and supporting the continued expansion of its autonomous ride-hailing service. The purchase aligns with Waymo’s broader growth strategy as it scales its robotaxi fleet and increases vehicle production through partnerships involving vehicles such as the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Zeekr RT. The Arizona location is also close to Waymo’s vehicle integration operations in Mesa, where autonomous driving hardware is installed in new vehicles. Beyond its practical value, the acquisition highlights the contrasting outcomes of two major autonomous vehicle efforts. While Apple ended its self-driving vehicle program in 2024 after years of investment, Waymo continues to expand its testing infrastructure and commercial robotaxi operations, taking ownership of a facility originally intended to support Apple’s autonomous driving ambitions. Waymo ReD Human Driver Benchmark Waymo has introduced ReD (Reference Driver), a new behavioral model designed to evaluate how autonomous vehicles respond to potential crashes by comparing their performance to

Komatsu 930E water sprinklers at Los Bronces: dust control and fleet lessons for engineers

Komatsu 930E water sprinklers at Los Bronces: dust control and fleet lessons for engineers Reviewed by Joe Ashwell First reported on International Mining – News 30 Second Briefing Two Komatsu 930E-3 haul trucks at Anglo American’s Los Bronces copper mine in Chile, originally slated for decommissioning, have been converted into 70,000 gallon (265,000 litre) water sprinkler trucks in a joint project with Komatsu Chile and Mega. Claimed as the first such 930E-based water trucks in Chile and globally, the units repurpose the existing 290-tonne class chassis to deliver high-volume dust suppression on haul roads. The conversion extends asset life and avoids procuring dedicated water trucks, with implications for fleet renewal and mine water management strategies. Technical Brief - Similar large-class truck conversions could standardise dust control capacity across mixed-age fleets without new unit procurement. Our Take Komatsu’s work on converting 930E units at the Los Bronces copper mine sits alongside its recent push into large-truck support infrastructure in the US (e.g. the new parts hub in Mesa, Arizona and the Surface Haulage HQ in Peoria), signalling a strategy to extend the life and versatility of its ultra-class fleet rather than focusing only on new truck sales. Within our Mining coverage, copper operations like Los Bronces feature prominently in the 2386 sustainability- and safety-tagged pieces, suggesting that dust, water and haulage risk controls are now being treated as core productivity levers at large Chilean copper mines rather than purely as compliance items. Repurposing two Komatsu 930E-3 trucks into water sprinklers at a high-altitude Chilean copper site implies a preference for modular retrofits over dedicated water trucks, which can be attractive for other Anglo American operations looking to manage dust with minimal additional capex and without expanding the mobile fleet headcount. Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining

SANY's 50 SKT145E <b>autonomous trucks</b> in Inner Mongolia: haul road design notes

SANY’s 50 SKT145E autonomous trucks in Inner Mongolia: haul road design notes Reviewed by Tom Sullivan First reported on International Mining – News 30 Second Briefing SANY has shipped 50 SKT145E autonomous pure battery wide body mining trucks to a surface coal operation in Inner Mongolia, pairing them with an in‑house autonomous haulage system rather than a third‑party AHS provider. The SKT145E trucks, already proven in unmanned operation at multiple Chinese coal and aggregate sites, use swappable battery packs and high‑precision positioning for fully driverless haulage on fixed routes. For mine planners and geotechs, the deployment signals continued standardisation around wide body truck haul roads, consistent ramp geometry and controlled dump‑point design to support large‑scale autonomy. Technical Brief - Chinese OEMs and AHS vendors are actively competing for market share in autonomous wide body truck fleets. - Competitive pressure is centred on all‑battery and hybrid drivetrains now considered proven in unmanned operation. Our Take The shipment of 50 autonomous SKT145E trucks into Inner Mongolia follows SANY Group’s May 2026 unveiling of the SKT145Ei unmanned wide-body truck, signalling that what was showcased at the Xi’an summit has moved into early fleet-scale deployment rather than remaining at prototype stage. In our database of Mining coverage, SANY appears increasingly in electrification and autonomy stories, from its 1,000th electric excavator milestone to 5G remote-controlled fleets, suggesting the company is positioning itself as a systems supplier for fully electric, automated pits rather than just a conventional OEM. Epiroc’s recent global strategic partnership with SANY Group on hydraulic breakers and rock tools implies that large autonomous truck fleets like those in Inner Mongolia could be paired with matched drilling and breaking packages, giving mine operators a more integrated Chinese–European equipment stack for high-volume surface operations. Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining

This Week In Tesla: US EV Sales Hit Record, Top Analyst Predicts TSLA Sell-Off And More

US EV Sales Hit Record High Despite Tax Credit Removal Despite the removal of the $7,500 Federal EV Credit by President Donald Trump, EV sales in the U.S. reached a record high in May, with preliminary numbers showing 85,000 units sold. The average EV transaction price was $54,532, a 4% YoY decline from May 2025. Investor Predicts TSLA Selling Ahead Of SpaceX IPO Gary Black of The Future Fund LLC predicted that several retail investors participating in the SpaceX IPO will sell off their Tesla positions to fund SPCX buying, while investor Ross Gerber also commented on the IPO, highlighting the considerable buzz SpaceX has generated. Tesla’s Cybertruck Update Allows Autonomous Summoning Tesla has confirmed that the Cybertruck will be getting the Actually Smart Summon feature that allows the all-electric truck to navigate short distances and parking lots autonomously. Speculation Rises Over Potential SpaceX-Tesla Merger Crypto prediction markets are seeing a surge in bets that Musk might merge Tesla and SpaceX. Over $560,000 has been wagered on this outcome. While the likelihood of a merger this year is estimated at 24%, bettors anticipate a 53% chance by May 2027. FSD Transfer Policy Change Tesla has updated its terms to state that Full Self-Driving (FSD) transfers will not be allowed for certain configurations, leading to cancellations from buyers who relied on the original policy. The company has offered three options to affected customers. Musk’s Robotaxi Fleet Smaller Than Pepsi’s Doritos Truck Fleet Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by a Benzinga editor. Check out more of Benzinga’s Future Of Mobility coverage by following this link. Photo courtesy: Mijansk786 on Shutterstock.com © 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. To add Benzinga News as your preferred source

Americans now understand <b>self-driving</b> cars — and trust them even less

Knowledge is up. Trust isn’t. More Americans than ever understand what a fully self-driving car actually is — and they still don’t want to get inside one. That’s the takeaway from the fresh J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Mobility Confidence Index, conducted with the MIT Advanced Vehicle Technology Consortium. In 2026, 58% of Americans correctly defined what “full automation” means. Two years ago, only 43% could. But confidence? Frozen solid. The autonomous mobility trust index stayed at 39 out of 100. Not a single point of progress in two years, and only two points above the 2023 reading. The verdict from analysts is blunt: familiarity with the technology isn’t enough. Knowing isn’t believing. The sticking point is the same as it’s always been — safety. Six in ten respondents said it straight: what stops them from climbing into a driverless car is fear for their own life. People worry about how the machine will behave in an emergency, in heavy rain, in dense city traffic. And here’s where it gets interesting: trust shifts dramatically depending on who or what the robot is hauling. 54% of Americans would trust a self-driving car with their dinner delivery. Only 31% would trust it with their own kid. And the bleakest number of all: just 16% are willing to share the road with a fully autonomous semi-truck. The technology is moving forward. People aren’t.

Ashok Leyland Explores <b>Driverless Trucks</b> and Military Swarm Drones

Autonomous Driving Logistics: Building heavily upon its highly successful, combat-proven Stallion truck framework – which has long served as the logistical backbone of the Indian Army – Ashok Leyland is actively developing driverless technologies tailored for high-altitude, hazardous terrain. The initiative aims to integrate advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and autonomous driving systems into its heavy-duty military vehicles. By removing human operators from the cabin, these autonomous Stallions will be optimised to safely execute critical resupply missions across contested environments, high-altitude border tracks, and heavily mined operational corridors. This technological pivot significantly mitigates infantry casualties during frontline logistical transport. Spreading Wings into Swarm UAVs Beyond standard ground-based autonomy, the Chennai-based automobile manufacturer is breaking new ground by diversifying into aerospace technologies, exploring autonomous drone systems specifically engineered for military logistics and surveillance operations. The proposed UAV portfolio includes heavy-payload cargo drones capable of flying vital medical supplies, ammunition, and rations to isolated forward posts in the Himalayas. Furthermore, the company is looking into AI-driven swarm drone architectures to provide real-time Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) data directly to theatre command hubs, seamlessly feeding into India’s emerging Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) framework. Driving Domestic Defense Innovation This strategic expansion aligns directly with the Indian government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision in the defence sector. By developing the foundational autonomous software and hardware architecture indigenously, Ashok Leyland ensures that the armed forces remain insulated from external supply-chain bottlenecks and cyber vulnerabilities. The move marks a major evolution for the automobile pioneer, transforming it from a traditional mechanical vehicle manufacturer into a highly sophisticated, multi-domain defence technology provider capable of tackling the demands of modern algorithmic warfare. Global Expansion and Strategic Partnerships Ashok Leyland is also aggressively pursuing international markets to diversify its defence revenue. The company is focusing on SAARC countries, Africa, ASEAN, and Gulf Cooperation

Caterpillar–MicroVision LiDAR deal: <b>autonomy</b> and safety takeaways for mine fleets

Caterpillar–MicroVision LiDAR deal: autonomy and safety takeaways for mine fleets Reviewed by Joe Ashwell First reported on International Mining – News 30 Second Briefing Caterpillar has signed a strategic agreement with MicroVision to integrate its 3D digital LiDAR sensors into autonomous haulage system (AHS) mining trucks, aiming to improve onboard perception for obstacle recognition and self‑rerouting. The LiDAR will support trucks operating in mixed autonomous and manned fleets, where precise detection of light vehicles, berms and windrows is critical to avoid production‑disrupting stops. For mine planners and automation teams, the move signals continued migration from infrastructure‑dependent guidance (beacons, reflectors) towards vehicle‑centric sensing and decision‑making. Technical Brief - 3D digital LiDAR is playing a critical role as autonomous haulage progresses towards greater onboard intelligence and obstacle recognition. Our Take Caterpillar has featured repeatedly in recent coverage, from ultra-class truck orders at Minera Las Bambas to the expansion of diesel-electric LHD fleets at Grasberg, signalling that any LiDAR-based autonomy deal with MicroVision will plug into a rapidly growing installed base rather than a niche product line. The rollout of MineStar Command for hauling on Cat 777s at Carmeuse’s Drummond Island quarry shows Caterpillar is already standardising autonomy on smaller rigid trucks, so integrating MicroVision LiDAR could be a step toward a common perception stack across both quarry-scale and ultra-class mining fleets. Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team. Related Articles Related Industries & Products Mining Geotechnical software solutions for mining operations including CMRR analysis, hydrogeological testing, and data management. Construction Quality control software for construction companies with material testing, batch tracking, and compliance management. CMRR-io Streamline coal mine roof stability assessments with our cloud-based CMRR software featuring automated calculations, multi-scenario analysis, and collaborative workflows. HYDROGEO-io Comprehensive

The 'AI superstar' CEO behind a <b>self-driving truck</b> unicorn on why she's hiring Gen Z over ...

Raquel Urtasun is a Gen Xer, but she’s putting her faith in Gen Z. The 50-year-old began her career in academia, working alongside the “Godfather of AI” Geoffrey Hinton, before building out Uber’s self-driving technology division. Now, the cofounder and CEO of the autonomous trucking unicorn Waabi, she realizes there’s a lot of fear and anxiety about AI reshaping the future of work. But she sees something else entirely, and it’s not just because she’s raised over $1 billion for her unicorn: this is one of the best times to be alive, and to be a young worker. “Fear can paralyze your ability to embrace that change,” Urtasun told Fortune when asked about Gen Z’s worries about an uncertain AI future. “And I think that everybody should take this change as an opportunity.” Since its 2021 launch, Waabi has raised more than $1 billion to develop technology once considered science fiction, including a recent Series C round co-led by Khosla Ventures. In partnership with Volvo, its autonomous trucks are already testing road operations, offering a glimpse of a driverless future arriving faster than many once expected. For Urtasun, that optimism extends to who she hires. Rather than seeking candidates with decades of industry experience, she looks for something harder to teach: raw adaptability. It’s a mindset she developed in academia, where she learned to spot and shape young talent before it calcified into conventional thinking. “As a professor, you rely on really raw young talent,” she said. At Waabi, she applies the same logic—prioritizing workers who are versatile, eager to learn, and willing to rethink assumptions from scratch. “AI-first—that’s the talent that is really making the transformation,” she said. “It’s not the talent that has been, 20 years doing software engineering.” ‘AI Superstar’ CEO tells Gen Z to bet big

China targets 40% penetration for new-energy heavy <b>trucks</b> by 2030

- China has mapped out a plan to promote new-energy heavy-duty trucks, aiming for a fleet exceeding 1.6 million vehicles by 2030. - Authorities aim for these vehicles to carry 18% of highway freight volumes by 2030. The Chinese government has unveiled an ambitious plan to scale up new-energy heavy-duty trucks, aiming to accelerate the low-carbon transition in the transportation sector. The plan sets a target of achieving a 40% market penetration rate by 2030, according to a joint statement released Saturday by 11 government bodies including the Ministry of Transport. By then, China's fleet of new-energy heavy trucks is expected to exceed 1.6 million, accounting for about 20% of the total heavy-duty truck fleet. The official target is for new-energy heavy trucks to carry 18% of highway freight volumes by 2030. New-energy heavy trucks refer to heavy-duty freight vehicles with a gross weight of 12 tons or more that use new power systems. To achieve this goal, the government will roll out massive supporting infrastructure, planning to build 30,000 kilometers of zero-carbon freight corridors along key sections of the national expressway network. Authorities will support and guide the deployment of about 3,000 heavy-truck charging and battery-swapping stations. New and upgraded highway service areas will be required to build such facilities or reserve space for them. The implementation plan also sets specific targets for certain regions and scenarios. In key air pollution control areas such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Fenwei Plain, the electrification rate for fixed short-haul routes will exceed 80%. To accelerate the adoption of the new technology, the Chinese government outlined several substantial support measures. Authorities will step up fiscal and financial backing, coordinating funds to support vehicle purchases and the construction of charging infrastructure. Local governments are encouraged to provide funding through special-purpose bonds and

<b>Autonomous</b> Intelligent Vehicle Market Growth to Accelerate by 2035, Fueled by Robotaxi ...

Tesla Pioneer in vision-based autonomy, fleet data According to the latest IndexBox report on the global Autonomous Intelligent Vehicle market, the market enters 2026 with broader demand fundamentals, more disciplined procurement behavior, and a more regionally diversified supply architecture. The global Autonomous Intelligent Vehicle market is entering a decisive decade, with the forecast horizon from 2026 to 2035 marking the transition from controlled pilot programs to scaled commercial deployment. The market is bifurcating into two distinct commercialization pathways: a near-term, B2B-focused model centered on commercial fleets—robotaxis, autonomous delivery vehicles, and transit shuttles—and a longer-term, more complex B2B2C model for consumer vehicles. The economics and regulatory validation for fleet deployment are currently more tractable, making this segment the primary engine of near-term volume. Value is migrating decisively from traditional mechanical and electrical/electronic architecture to the software and AI stack, which encompasses perception, planning, and vehicle control. However, capturing this value is gated by extreme system integration complexity and the non-negotiable requirement for functional safety validation. The supply chain is fracturing, creating strategic openings for new entrants in specialized domains such as LiDAR, AI compute, and simulation software, while simultaneously elevating the critical importance of Tier-1 system integrators capable of delivering a validated, automotive-grade full-stack solution. Procurement is shifting from a component-based model to a systems-and-services model, with key pricing layers including autonomy software licenses, sensor and compute bill of materials, and ongoing data and map services. Regulatory approval is not a single event but a continuous process tied to the Operational Design Domain (ODD), creating a qualification burden that favors players with deep regulatory expertise and capital. Supply bottlenecks are concentrated in high-performance, automotive-grade compute semiconductors and Under the baseline scenario, the Autonomous Intelligent Vehicle market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 38% from

PepsiCo, Gatik expand <b>autonomous</b> freight partnership across Texas, Arizona, Arkansas

The 98% on-time delivery rate across operations sets a performance benchmark for autonomous refrigerated transport. UNITED STATES – PepsiCo has partnered with Gatik to integrate autonomous freight technology into its regional distribution networks across Texas, Arizona, and Arkansas, representing the largest commercial deployment of driverless trucks in a consumer goods supply chain. Gatik is already operating for PepsiCo across three states, delivering autonomous freight at commercial scale inside one of the world’s largest and most demanding consumer goods supply chains. Regional Network Efficiency and Dynamic Routing The partnership focuses on PepsiCo’s regional transportation networks, where products move daily between sites. These networks are high-frequency, time-sensitive, and essential to keeping products flowing consistently. Gatik’s autonomous trucks are designed for end-to-end deliveries on highways and surface streets, with dynamic route-orchestration capabilities for complex regional logistics networks spanning hundreds of pickup and drop-off locations. This enables PepsiCo to adjust route plans in response to daily operational needs, including adding or removing stops, responding to shifts in demand, and adapting to activity levels across distribution centres. That flexibility helps PepsiCo reduce variability, improve on-time performance, and add capacity without major changes to its existing operations. Workforce Integration and Commercial Scale Jim Farrell, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain at PepsiCo, said: “Serving our vast network of customers requires a supply chain that is safe, reliable, and built for the future. Gatik is already operating inside our networks and brings autonomous freight technology, commercial experience, and scale we need to strengthen service, add capacity, and move products more consistently for our customers.” Gautam Narang, CEO and Co-Founder of Gatik, said: “Autonomous trucking has reached commercial scale when it operates inside one of the most demanding supply chains on the planet. That is what Gatik is doing with PepsiCo. Our autonomous trucks are already moving products