David ZipperSep 2, 2024

In The Verge, I explained why self-driving cars could be a disaster for climate change and road safety -- even if they work perfectly.

The answer lies in the Jevons paradox, a classic 19th century economic theory.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/2/24232386/self-driving-car-jevons-paradox-robotaxi-waymo-cruise

#climate #climatechange #cars

What a 160-year-old theory about coal predicts about our self-driving future

The Jevons paradox originated in the coal era, but it has a lot to teach us about the future of self-driving cars.

The Verge
Show threadMike FraserSep 2, 2024
@davidzipper The paradox assumes increased usage but wouldn't autonomous driving eliminate the joyride or the scenic route? Wouldn't the point be to eliminate inefficient driving with a more efficient on demand option?
Show threadMisuse Case
@mike @davidzipper The vast vast majority of trips are not for joyriding or taking the scenic route. They’re for getting from somewhere to somewhere else you need to be, or from somewhere else to back home.
Sep 2, 2024 at 6:52pmWeb
Show threadFahri Reza 🍉Sep 2, 2024
@MisuseCase @mike @davidzipper the vast majority of the trip is to avoid paying parking, they just go round and around and around