One of the biggest problems in major cities is pollution. In order to protect the environment, all Americans must take steps to reduce daily emissions. Many automotive companies are already on board. Currently, the latest semi-autonomous cars with an electric engine are making a difference.
In the future, the landscape will change once new technologies debut. These technologies will power fully autonomous cars. The world will need these vehicles for many reasons. According to the Center for American Progress, autonomous cars have the potential to transform climate conditions in a good way.
Vehicle-Miles Travel
The Center for American Progress did research about autonomous cars and their environmental benefits. To better understand the results, you must understand what vehicle-miles travel or VMT means.
VMT is a term that experts use when they calculate a vehicle’s annual miles. If an automobile has a high VMT, its pipeline emissions will need adjustments. In some cases, basic upgrades and modifications that focus on pollution control can offset this problem.
Research by The Center for American Progress
According to the Center for American Progress, when fully automated cars are released, travel costs and emissions are likely to drop. This is because an automated car can calculate its speed and rate of travel to minimize fuel consumption. However, some VMT statistics could rise since both the time and financial costs of driving will decrease once more motorists are able to travel in autonomous cars.
The Center for American Progress believes that there will be more people on the road in the future because autonomous vehicles will give everyone more freedom. During daily commutes, those traveling in autonomous vehicles will never have to focus on the road.
Autonomous vehicle technologies of the future will give seniors, inexperienced drivers, and disabled people opportunities to travel to destinations in a safe, private environment. According to the Center for American Progress, if everyone in this group travels alone in an autonomous car, there will be more motorists on the road.
The team at the Center for American Progress knows that more vehicles on the road will lead to higher VMT stats. There is a solution to this problem; it’s a car-sharing service for autonomous vehicles. This type of business arrangement would decrease individual car ownership, and a shared driverless vehicle could replace almost 10 regular cars.
There is one major problem that big automotive companies must resolve before they’re able to build strategic partnerships with car-sharing businesses. From time to time, annual VMT statistics will rise whenever there are autonomous vehicles on the road with an empty cabin.
From a business perspective, there is no easy way to avoid this. Autonomous rideshare cars will have no passengers occasionally whenever it’s time to pick up the next customer. However, if a tech company develops advanced software for autonomous cars, it could reduce emissions during these trips by planning more efficient routes.

The Environmental Impact
The United States government has a plan for carbon emissions. In the future, the goal is to reduce carbon emissions before harsh pollution transforms the climate.
According to the Center for American Progress, autonomous vehicles of the future could help the government accomplish this goal if all car companies develop a plan for light-duty automobiles. These automobiles don’t have the ability to reduce the effects of carbon emissions alone. However, if more automotive companies build refined light-duty autonomous cars for people in urban areas, the technology will have a more dominant role.
Automakers must build autonomous vehicles in a manner designed to help the environment in the future. The Center for American Progress believes that there are three ways to accomplish this.
Every autonomous vehicle’s EMT statistics matter, so all automakers must consider this during the manufacturing phase. They must also consider how their autonomous cars could impact traffic congestion. Finally, they must have plans for practical engine designs. In order to reduce carbon emissions, the market will need fuel-efficient engines that can manage fossil fuel consumption.
These factors could create a blueprint for the future. However, they haven’t been thoroughly tested. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory did a study based on these factors. According to the results, some aspects of the research have uncertainties. During a study, this organization found negatives and positives based on the three factors. There is one big pro; lightweight autonomous cars with advanced designs could help the environment.

Current Environmental Problems and the Automotive Industry’s Solution
In most major cities, vehicle emissions and traffic congestion are major problems. The current selection of semi-autonomous cars has the potential to keep things under control until fully automated cars arrive. Here are some of the methods.
Emissions
Many autonomous vehicles that are on the road today are electric. Electric engines help the environment because they generate clean energy.
However, the environment is still suffering because every automaker doesn’t have the right formula. Some cars that are on the road will need a better battery in the future. Basically, an upgrade is required if a battery lacks the ability to produce clean energy while it charges. When a battery powers a semi-autonomous car in this manner, it indirectly produces emissions.
Traffic Congestion
Tech experts and automakers are working together to eliminate pollution in big cities. For example, there is a smart traffic light system in development at MIT. During a test, this system improved traffic flow. In the future, autonomous cars will depend on smart traffic light systems. If both technologies work in sync, they can reduce congestion in and around busy highways.
Parking
When many people drive to and from parking spaces, harmful emissions pollute the air. Air pollution causes greater problems throughout indoor parking areas because the emissions linger longer. All cities need parking spaces. However, if fewer cars have to park, the air in isolated areas would be much cleaner. Air quality also suffers when parked cars idle for long periods of time.
Autonomous vehicles will decrease congestion and emissions in populated cities because they don’t have to park. After an autonomous car reaches its destination, it will automatically drive home.
If taxi companies and ride-sharing services take advantage of autonomous driving technologies in the future, less smog will pollute the air. In major cities, smog gas emissions create smog when people constantly drive and search for parking spaces. If all taxi companies and ride-sharing services use autonomous systems, fewer people will have to hunt for parking spaces.
Frequent Flights
Volvo released a concept car called the 360c in 2018. Following several tests, Volvo made a great discovery. They found that their concept vehicle was more than a car. It could be a place for business, a place to relax, or a destination for a nap.
According to Forbes, the 360c’s design is like a hotel suite and a cabin on a plane. These luxuries could disrupt the airline industry, which is a good thing because traveling by plane leaves a large carbon footprint.
Autonomous cars are the future for regular consumers and big businesses. If they’re successful, they will create a better environment.