Opportunity AV: How Many and What Type of Jobs Will Be Created by Autonomous Vehicles
Chamber of Progress
Economic Strategy
Chamber of Progress is a new tech industry coalition devoted to a progressive society, economy, workforce, and consumer climate. The Chamber backs public policies that will build a fairer, more inclusive country in which all people benefit from technological leaps.
AV technologies are part of the suite of autonomous, connected, electrified, and shared vehicle technologies that are sweeping the automobile industry. Taken in conjunction, these technologies will transform the auto industry and have the ability to boost technological development and economic activity across traditional manufacturing regions. American companies have developed the most advanced AV technology to date, and billions have been invested in innovative AV companies. Despite this lead, the U.S. is at risk of falling behind the rest of the world on AV public policy, which would harm economic competitiveness.
Our Approach
Autonomous vehicles have the potential to bridge the divide between high-tech innovation hubs and regions where manufacturing has—or had—traditionally dominated economic activity. Our study identifies states with a high concentration of existing automotive manufacturing and states with the highest potential for AV growth, quantifies the employment growth projections based on AV adoption rate, and provides recommendations for policymakers to help prepare our workforce for these future AV jobs.
The Results
The U.S. has the potential to establish itself as a major exporter of AVs, including vehicles, parts, technology, and knowledge. Establishing strong policy support along with growing the skills of the labor force, there is an opportunity for the U.S. to become a leading manufacturer and exporter of AVs. To realize these opportunities and ensure continued leadership in AV development and deployment, the U.S. must get three things right: encourage further technology development, increase capital investment, and establish a favorable regulatory framework. Our study quantifies the AV market opportunity, presents recommendations and promising practices to capture that opportunity, and highlights actionable steps for policymakers.
Location
National