[djf1]

Aside from energy efficiency, the semi would be an attractive vector to introduce fully autonomous driving:

1. Feasibility: Many trucking routes avoid some of the most complex driving tasks (e.g. dealing with pedestrians, city traffic).

2. Labor Cost: In commuter travel, the driver _is_ the cargo, so the utility gain is offset:

  utility = cost(operation) - cost(occupancy)

For shipping, in contrast, there is no occupancy requirement, so the gain is greater:

  utility = cost(operation)

[Fjolsvith]

However, if the truck is autonomous, then DOT restrictions on hours of service for a driver no longer applies. So, the semi drives a longer day: requiring a bigger battery and longer charge times.