Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association Releases 2026 State of AV Report, Documenting Significant Industry Growth and Urgent Need for Federal Framework

AVs have driven more than 360 million miles on U.S. roads, providing 21 million robotaxi rides and delivering measurable safety and economic benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA) today released its third annual State of AV report, documenting a year of significant growth across the autonomous vehicle industry alongside expanded federal and state policy progress. The report finds that AVs have driven more than 360 million miles on American roads, a 2.5x increase since June 2025, and have provided 21 million robotaxi rides to date.

"The autonomous vehicle industry is making great strides, and real-world data confirms what we have long argued: automated driving systems outperform human drivers by significant margins," said Jeff Farrah, CEO of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association. "Robotaxis now operate commercially across the country, autonomous trucks haul freight across multiple states, and the safety and economic benefits are tangible. Now Washington must match the urgency of what is happening on the road."

Key findings from the 2026 State of AV report include:

• AVs have driven more than 360 million miles on U.S. public roads, the equivalent of circling the Earth more than 14,000 times.
• AVIA and AECOM estimate $71 million in safety-related economic savings for San Francisco residents between 2022 and 2025 due to AV deployment.
• 100% of AVIA member CEOs surveyed remain optimistic that current Washington leadership can unlock the federal framework needed for 2030 deployment.
• Autonomous trucking customers cite improved safety, reliability, and lower costs as the top reasons for partnering with AV freight companies.

The report also highlights significant federal momentum, including Farrah's February 2026 testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation, the advancement of the SELF DRIVE Act through a key House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy's Automated Vehicle Framework.

The 2026 State of AV report features interviews with Gatik CEO Gautam Narang, Waymo Chief Product Officer Saswat Panigrahi, GM's Shelly Chaka, United Spinal Association, and Phoenix Fire Department Assistant Chief Reda Riddle-Bigler. The report also profiles United for Autonomy, the broad stakeholder coalition launched by AVIA in late 2025 that brings together nearly 30 industry, safety, and accessibility organizations.

The full 2026 State of AV report is available at here.