California's autonomous vehicle testing sees a 50% decline - here's the scoop!

Tech companies working on self-driving vehicle technology have slowed down their testing on public roads in California, according to recent data from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. In 2024, a total of 4.5 million autonomous vehicle test miles were recorded, marking a 50% decrease from the previous year. This decline is more noticeable in the driverless testing category, which saw an 83% drop.

Industry Shifts and Trends

Companies like Waymo and Cruise have historically been leaders in testing autonomous vehicles, but there have been significant changes in the industry. Cruise, owned by GM, was suspended and later shut down, while Waymo has shifted focus to commercial operations in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The number of new permits issued by the DMV has also decreased over the past few years.

Current Landscape

Currently, only 31 companies hold permits for testing with a safety driver, with 11 conducting public road testing in 2024. Some companies have withdrawn from testing, while others like Mercedes-Benz, Nuro, and Waymo have permits for commercial operations. The industry has seen a consolidation, with fewer companies investing heavily in autonomous vehicle technology, although there have been some exceptions with companies like Wayve and Waymo securing significant funding.

Overall, the autonomous vehicle industry is now dominated by a small number of key players, with Waymo leading the way in testing and commercial miles. This consolidation has resulted in less competition in the commercial sector.