Insurers prep for EV and autonomous vehicle tech

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By Jasmine Kim

Updated August 13, 2021

With President Joe Biden’s electric vehicle initiative backing the development of electricity-powered cars and the EU declaring a ban on the sale of new carbon-emitting cars, starting in 2035, the auto industry is tilting increasingly toward an environmentally conscious and tech-savvy market. By incorporating modern technology into the way cars are manufactured, fully autonomous vehicles could be the next big thing to transform the auto space.

In addition to the environmental benefits of EV adoption, carmakers are turning toward the development of electric vehicles to simplify production processes: EVs are in some ways mechanically simpler than gas-powered vehicles. Their drivetrains employ fewer than 20 moving parts, compared with the hundreds used by gas-powered cars, and manufacturers can use the same battery cell layouts and motors to power a range of electric models.

Stellantis, the world’s No. 4 automaker, predicts that more than 40% of U.S. car sales will be electric cars by 2030. The company announced it would invest $35.5 billion through 2025 to electrify its lineup. With the support of five battery plants across Europe and North America, the company stated each 14 of its vehicle brands will offer fully electrified vehicles by 2030.

Electric vehicle adoption facts

Combined EV, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicle sales surpassed 300,000 in Q1 2021
Passenger EV sales are set to increase sharply in the next few years, rising from 3.1 million in 2020 to 14 million in 2025

Automakers invest in autonomous vehicle technology

Concurrent with the development and popularization of electric vehicles, autonomous driving technology is shaking up the auto market. Volkswagen AG’s CEO Herbert Diess stated that autonomous driving technology is the true industry disruptor. Consulting firm AlixPartners expects the cost of highly and fully autonomous systems to drop at least 60% by 2030 to enable broader use cases.

The UK was the first nation to regulate the use of self-driving cars on its roadways
Tesla’s Autopilot came out with a beta version of its Full Self-Driving technology in October 2020
Nuro partnered with Kroger and CVS in Houston to deliver groceries to customers’ residences, received a permit from California as well
Pennsylvania, Virginia, Idaho, Florida, Wisconsin and Washington D.C. made it legal for delivery robots to share streets and sidewalks

Autonomous vehicle development is still in its early stages and still has several hurdles to overcome, including questions around liability, traffic regulations, insurance policies and owner and operator responsibilities. In addition, getting consumer buy-in and building trust is a challenge. But with advanced driving support systems like lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warnings and smart cruise control already available in many new cars, autonomous cars have emerged at the forefront of automotive research and development.

As autonomous vehicles gain momentum, automakers are looking for ways to consolidate and control costs. Tesla, for example, is offering its own insurance and building their own roadside assistance service networks, as a way to control the end-to-end customer experience throughout the entire ownership lifecycle.

Tech companies try the car business on for size

Major technology companies have waded into the autonomous vehicle market, blending the lines between consumer tech and auto tech.

Apple has prioritized plans for the Apple Car despite losing headcount
Google’s self-driving car project Waymo was the first to have a fully autonomous ride on public roads
Microsoft Corp partnered with Volkswagen AG on self-driving car software
Amazon placed an order for 1,000 autonomous driving systems from self-driving technology startup Plus

As electrification and autonomy continue to advance and create smarter — and hopefully safer — cars, insurers have explored ways to modernize claims processes and rate setting. The ability to access car data and use AI-powered analytics may streamline underwriting. In the long run, advanced tech could serve as a competitive advantage that enables carriers to thrive in the emerging world of automotive technology and car insurance.

Insurance companies prep for EV adoption and autonomous vehicle tech advances

Electric vehicle adoption facts

Automakers invest in autonomous vehicle technology

Tech companies try the car business on for size

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