Last updated on February 9th, 2026 at 07:47 pm
Federal autonomous vehicle legislation introduced (SJ Munoz — July 28, 2025)
Rep. Vince Fong, R-Calif., introduced the America Drives Act to establish a national framework for autonomous vehicle trucking. This legislation would override state laws, allowing deployment of Level 4 and 5 autonomous commercial vehicles across state lines without human drivers. The Act aims to empower the Department of Transportation to implement practical regulations to scale this technology, enhancing supply chain efficiency and U.S. competitiveness. It includes exemptions from human-specific requirements like hours of service and drug testing. The OOIDA calls for greater transparency and mandatory safety testing. Concerns were raised about potential risks, such as phantom braking. The Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association supports the bill, emphasizing its benefits for supply chains and safety. The bill seeks to maintain U.S. leadership in transportation innovation while advancing policies prioritizing safety and technological progress.
Mercedes just pressed pause on EV orders in the US (Peter Johnson — July 30, 2025)
Mercedes-Benz has paused all US orders for its EQS and EQE electric vehicles, citing “current market conditions” as the company navigates anticipated policy chances under the Trump administration. The move follows the recent announcement that federal EV tax credits will expire at the end of September. While new domestic orders are no longer being accepted, Mercedes has sharply discounted its remaining US electrical vehicle inventory, slashing prices by as much as $15,000 in a final push to move product.
In a further shift, production of the EQS and EQE SUV models at the Mercedes Alabama production plant will be suspended beginning September 1. However, the facility will continue manufacturing electrical vehicles for export to internal markets.
Dealers and consumers in the US are no longer able to place new orders for these models, marking a significant pivot in the luxury automaker’s EV strategy.
China issues autonomous driving guidelines (Teresa Moss — July 28, 2025)
China has released ethical guidelines for autonomous driving technology, emphasizing transparency and data collection limits. Issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology, these guidelines require algorithms and models to be accessible and mandate that data collection stays within the necessary scope for driving functions. They also delineate liability, specifying whether the driver or system is responsible based on the system’s advancement. Dongfeng Motor and Huawei played roles in drafting these rules. In response to a fatal crash involving Xiaomi’s SU7 sedan, China banned terms like “autonomous driving” in ads. Preliminary findings indicated the car crashed after the driver took over from the ADAS system. Similar to the UK’s 2024 Automated Vehicles Act, China aims to prevent misleading language in marketing, ensuring drivers understand their car’s capabilities.
Lyft to add autonomous shuttles in 2026 as Uber inks more self-driving deals (Sean O’Kane — July 25, 2025)
Lyft plans to add autonomous shuttles from Benteler Group to its network in late 2026, in partnership with U. S. cities and airports. The shuttles will have no steering wheel or pedals and can carry up to nine seated and six standing passengers. Lyft is also working on adding autonomous vehicles from May Mobility in Atlanta this year.
US closes probe into Waymo self-driving collisions, unexpected behavior (David Shepardson — July 25, 2025)
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concluded its 14-month investigation into Waymo’s self-driving vehicles late last week, closing the probe without taking further action. The investigation began after 22 reports of Waymo robotaxis potentially violating traffic laws, which led to 17 collisions. NHTSA noted that Waymo issued two recalls during this period, including the May recall affecting over 1,200 vehicles. This recall updated software to improve object detection and better avoid roadway barriers. The federal agency said that it relied on data from Waymo in reaching its decision to close the investigation.
Driverless Cars Are Changing the Future of Claims (Chris Bakes — July 24, 2025)
The rise of autonomous vehicles brings both promise and uncertainty in the automotive industry. As of 2025, only 13% of U. S. consumers trust autonomous cars due to concerns about control and unpredictability. However, statistics show that these vehicles cause fewer claims than human errors, which account for 90% of accidents. The shift toward automation is changing liability from drivers to manufacturers and software developers, requiring new insurance models and claims processes. Advanced technologies are reducing crashes, leading to fewer claims and a focus on improving claims handling and customer experiences in a safer, smarter future.
