WP: Musk's push for autonomous cars gains momentum after Trump victory

Elon Musk’s vision for self-driving vehicles could receive a significant boost with President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming administration.

Musk, who has been a vocal advocate for fully autonomous cars, faces a major obstacle in the form of federal regulations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which has been cautious about approving the next generation of robot vehicles, Caliber.Az reports per The Washington Post (WP).

However, with Musk now closely aligned with Trump, he is well-positioned to influence the development of regulations that could expedite the deployment of these cars.

Musk has long seen autonomy as a key source of Tesla’s value, despite multiple investigations into the safety of his company’s technology. Last month, Musk unveiled plans for the Tesla Cybercab, a steering-wheel-free vehicle set to launch in the next few years.

"There should be a federal approval process for autonomous vehicles," Musk said during an October 23 Tesla earnings call, adding that he would support such a process if a “Department of Government Efficiency” were established.

Trump, who has described Musk as a "super genius," has promised him a role in his administration, possibly to lead a new task force focused on government efficiency. The President-elect’s backing has had a positive effect on Tesla’s stock, which surged following his election, further cementing Musk’s wealth and influence.

“Elon Musk is a once-in-a-generation business leader,” said Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt.

However, safety remains a concern for some. The NHTSA, under the Biden administration, began requiring manufacturers to submit data on crashes involving self-driving vehicles. The regulatory body has also initiated investigations into Tesla's advanced driver-assistance systems following multiple incidents. Critics worry that a more lenient regulatory environment under Trump could reduce oversight and compromise safety.

Despite the challenges, Musk is pressing ahead with his ambitions. “If there’s a Department of Government Efficiency, I’ll try to help make that happen,” Musk said. But experts like Missy Cummings, a former NHTSA adviser, worry that the new administration could weaken safety investigations, with some predicting that NHTSA might be “significantly handicapped.”

As Tesla races to develop a fully autonomous car, Musk's influence on federal policy could reshape the future of the autonomous vehicle industry, though questions about safety standards remain unresolved.

By Aghakazim Guliyev