What fleets need to know about autonomous vehicles

In a recent episode of , Nick Elder, VP of Commercialization at Torc Robotics, joined host, Chris Brandt, to discuss what Level 4 autonomous trucking could mean for fleet operations. Torc plans to begin "driver-out" operations on public roads in 2027, with an initial focus on Class 8 long-haul trucking. 

For fleet operators, the big question is: what would need to change in your operation if there were no longer a driver behind the wheel? From the routes you choose to the way you handle maintenance and staffing, autonomy could change more than the driving itself.

What does Level 4 autonomy mean? 

Autonomous driving is often described in levels based on how much of the driving task the vehicle can handle. At Level 4, the truck can drive itself without a person in the cab, as long as it stays within the routes and environments the system was designed to handle. If it reaches a situation outside those limits, the truck still needs to respond safely on its own. That is different from Level 3, where a driver needs to be available to take over. 

“Level four is not simply an evolutionary step from level three,” Nick said. 

Without a driver as the backup, critical systems such as braking, steering and power distribution need added redundancy so the truck can respond safely if something fails.  

Where to use autonomous vehicles first 

You probably won't look at your entire fleet one day and decide to make it autonomous. A more practical starting point is figuring out where the technology could actually work. Long-haul trucking is one of the first areas being explored because Class 8 trucks often move large volumes of freight between established locations. Autonomous operation could also allow some of those vehicles to spend more time on the road as their operating hours would no longer depend on a driver's hours-of-service limits. 

But not every route is the same. A truck moving between warehouses or distribution centres faces a different environment than one making deliveries through busy city streets or navigating a difficult job site. Nick pointed to routes where freight is already regularly moving between established locations as a strong place for autonomy to start.  

For your fleet, that means looking at where you already have consistent freight volume and repeatable routes rather than trying to find a way to use autonomy everywhere. 

Who handles the work when there’s no driver? 

Taking the driver out of the cab does not remove everything the driver currently does. 

“A driver today does more than just drive the truck,” Nick said. Drivers connect trailers, complete inspections, fuel vehicles, and handle other work around the trip. With an autonomous truck, those responsibilities need to move somewhere else. 

That could mean training employees already working at a warehouse or distribution centre to take on some of those tasks. At locations with little or no staff, you may need a different approach. Looking at those needs early can help you understand whether autonomy makes sense for a particular part of your operation.

What will autonomous vehicles really cost fleets? 

Autonomous trucks come with additional sensors, computing equipment and other technology, so the vehicle itself is likely to cost more. You also need to consider service requirements and any staffing changes needed to support the operation.  

“The ,” Nick said. The business case depends on whether benefits such as higher vehicle utilization outweigh those additional costs. 

That means looking beyond the cost of the driver. Consider what changes across the whole operation and whether the technology creates enough value on a specific route to justify those changes.

How will autonomous vehicles change fleet maintenance? 

Higher vehicle utilization can create another challenge. If an autonomous truck spends more time moving freight, keeping it available becomes even more important. These trucks also introduce fleet technology that needs to be maintained alongside the mechanical systems you already manage. Nick pointed to practical questions such as how quickly a fleet can replace a lidar sensor, recalibrate the system, or complete warranty work when something goes wrong. Before adding autonomous vehicles, you will need to understand where they can be serviced and if technicians have the training needed to work on them. 

Could autonomous vehicles make fleet data more consistent? 

Autonomous vehicles could also give you more consistent fleet data. Every driver operates a vehicle a little differently, which can make it harder to compare performance across your fleet. An autonomous truck follows more consistent driving behaviour. Nick said that could provide better data for looking at maintenance and when components may need to be replaced. For fleet managers, that could make it easier to separate vehicle performance from driver behaviour and find other opportunities to improve the operation.

What your fleet can do now 

Autonomous trucking will not make sense for every business and their operational goals. The important thing is understanding where it could solve a real need for your fleet. Nick described autonomy as “a very useful tool in your freight logistics tool belt.” Instead of planning for an autonomous fleet, think about where the technology could eventually make your existing operation work better. If you’re considering autonomous vehicles, Element’s can assess your existing fleet and business needs to help determine where autonomy could make sense and recommend an approach that fits your fleet strategy.