Autonomous Driving, Net-Zero Emissions by 2050: Recent Transportation News Trends

A look at the transportation news from PR Newswire in May and June that you might have missed.

By Logan Tierno | Published July 11, 2023

Climate change has been a hot topic in recent years, and one of the biggest contributors is the auto/transport industry. Vehicle emissions are no help, so companies have been finding ways to conserve resources and reduce our impact, all while maintaining convenience and safety.

The demand for electric vehicles continues to increase as the U.S. prepares to meet the 2050 goal of net-zero emissions, a time when fossil fuel could be a thing of the past. The production of electric vehicles with the integration of 5G networks has also opened the door to autonomous vehicle development and the evolution of LiDAR technology, which adds a greater level of safety to existing autonomous sensors.

Let’s take a look at the trends that transpired out of the more than 2,200 transportation press releases that were distributed during May and June.

Some of the Most Popular Auto/Transport Releases:

These are a few of the most-read auto and transport news releases of May and June.

• First WWII Destroyer Sank by Rocket Powered Super Kamikaze Discovered off Japan
  
• Teamsters, ABF Reach Tentative Agreement On New Contract
• General Motors Doubles Down on Commitment to a Unified Charging Standard and Expands Charging Access to Tesla Supercharger Network
• Goodyear Announces Industry's First Tire To Use Carbon Black Produced Via Methane Pyrolysis

Auto/Transport News Trends

We noticed an uptick in four specific transportation topics, which we expand upon below.

LiDAR/Autonomous Driving

With the increase in electric vehicle creation and faster wireless internet speeds, driverless vehicles are beginning to gain traction in the industry. LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) is a term that popped up more and more frequently during the last two months on the wire.

The technology has important uses for autonomous cars, as it allows the vehicle to create a 3D map of its environment to sense other cars, road signs, traffic signals, and more.

Here are some examples of LiDAR news from May and June:

• Hesai to Exhibit Industry-Leading Autonomous Sensor Suite at Xponential 2023
  
• Lidar: The Key to Unlocking the Future of Autonomous Vehicles, Says IDTechEx
• Innoviz Debuts Industry-First LiDAR-Based Bridge Collision Detection System with Drive Group, Israeli Highway Operator
• IDTechEx Says Buying an Autonomous Electric Car Will Feel More Like Buying a Laptop Than a Car

By the numbers: Over the past two months, PR Newswire distributed more than 100 releases mentioning LiDAR technology.

Electric Aircraft

Many companies align with the United States’ goal of net zero emissions by 2050, and airlines/aircraft manufacturers seem to be taking this very seriously. With the rising cost of fuel and the concerns over climate change, these companies are doing their part to implement sustainable practices and materials into new designs and operations, while also electrifying fleets to eliminate the use of jet fuel entirely.

Take a look at how these companies have helped reduce our impact on the environment over the last couple of months:

• Eviation Announces MONTE Order for up to 30 All-Electric Alice Aircraft
• RTX advances hybrid-electric propulsion demonstrator with 1MW motor rated power milestone test
• Supernal and GKN Aerospace Announce Agreement for eVTOL Vehicle Aerostructures, Electrical Wiring Systems and Manufacturing Innovation
• RTX STEP-Tech demonstrator completes first engine run and electrical system integration test

By the numbers: There were more than 1,100 press releases distributed within the aerospace/defense, air freight, and airlines/aviation subcategories in May and June.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Aside from the electrification of various airline fleets, another way airlines are attempting to help with climate change is through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which delivers the same performance as petroleum-based jet fuel but with a fraction of its carbon footprint.

See how companies have committed to incorporating this new innovation these past couple of months:

• Hawaiian Airlines 2023 Corporate Kuleana Report Highlights Path to Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050
• Southwest Airlines Showcases Its Heart For Corporate Citizenship With Release Of Annual Reports
• United to Triple SAF Use in 2023, Adds SAF on Flights at San Francisco Airport
• Honeywell Introduces UOP eFining™ Technology For New Class Of Sustainable Aviation Fuel

By the numbers: In May and June, nearly 75 press releases that crossed the wire mentioned "sustainable aviation fuel."

E-bikes

E-bikes are exploring new heights, with new product releases announced regularly. What differentiates them from standard bicycles is the extra power they give when riding through rigorous terrain, so riders are no longer limited to smooth pavement.

Here are some of the bikes that rolled into the market during May and June:

• Heybike unveils Ranger S e-Bike with longer battery life, and mileage, and a truly affordable price
• Cyrusher Ebike Model Makes Its Debut at (e) Revolution
• Vanpowers Launches UrbanGlide--the Connected, Intelligent E-bike for Commuters Capable of 70 Miles on a Single Charge
• INTHEAIRBIKE Launches New Foldable Electric Bike "Colts" for Commuters

By the numbers: More than 40 releases that crossed the wire during May and June mentioned "e-bike."

Conclusion

The auto/transport industry will likely continue to see an increase in autonomous vehicles with LiDAR technology, electric aircraft, the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and e-bikes.

The public seems to be normalizing the electrification of vehicles in general. The goal is to become less dependent on natural resources so that they can be restored and we can maintain the Earth’s habitability. As a whole, the industry appears to be working to do its part.

About the Author

Logan Tierno is a Customer Content Specialist for PR Newswire, Industry Ambassador, and contributor to Beyond Bylines. She sits at the forefront of press release distribution and works with clients on increasing engagement and providing editorial support. You can find her off-duty doing yoga, engaging in some sort of artistic endeavor, or relaxing with her family.