@LShaver I haven't read the research report itself so I don't know what developments where taken into account and what not, but I did read about estimates that self-driving cars could reduce energy usage by 4% to 30%. The latter is if cars start driving in platoons. But there are also people who think that with self-driving cars, car usage would very much increase and thus negate the energy reduction.

Hmm interesting to think that usage might increase... I suppose with an Uber-like app and centrally managed fleets reducing wait times, there might be more temptation to take a car.

I've heard that self-driving cars could reduce ownership rates, which would relieve congestion and the need for parking, both of which would reduce fuel use.