Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikemike
Electric vehicles are a different topic than autonomous vehicles, so leaving that aside,
Autonomous shared vehicles would require MORE energy than standard driven vehicles, even assuming the same number of miles travelled (and as noted earlier, that would most likely increase).
Why?
Because after dropping you off at work that shared car will drive all the way back out to the residential neighbourhoods for a new fare, instead of waiting for you and not burning fuel or draining the batteries.
It won't be double because there are some reverse trips, but generally, instead of your commute being responsible for the energy to move a 3000lb steel box from home to work, your trip is also responsible for the energy required to get it back where it's needed.
Like a cabby cruising for fares.
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That's assuming just as many will be making that trip into town later. Congested streets during rush hours exist because everyone wants to get to work just in time, and leave work as quickly as possible. No one likes reporting to work a half hour early or waiting to go home after work a half hour later.
While many autonomous shared vehicles might make several trips, there will be many that will just make one trip and will have to be parked waiting on demand to pick up again.