Automation could start eating into U.S. Diesel demand. The rise of automation, AI, and electric trucks can fundamentally change the freight transportation industry in the United States, leading to a revolution in transport fuel demand. Various vehicle and technology companies and U.S. cities and states have launched in recent years automation trucking pilot programs. In barge transportation on the Mississippi River, AI-assisted co-pilot projects are already being used to make transportation more efficient. The increase in efficiency, via technological, autonomous, or AI-enabled systems, could optimize freight efficiency, including by reducing fuel per-unit use and inefficiencies in supply chains, Reuters columnist Gavin Maguire argues. Vehicle automation is a promising fuel-reducing strategy. Moreover, truck platooning, the linking of trucks in a convoy to travel closer together by using connectivity technology and automated driving support systems, is a "likely contender to reduce energy requirements for the heavy-duty vehicle sector," says the transport and mobility research team at the National Laboratory of the Rockies. Platooning allows multiple vehicles to travel closer together, accelerate or brake simultaneously, and reduce aerodynamic drag to create significant energy or fuel savings, NLR notes. Self-driving trucks in Texas and AI-assisted navigation on the Mississippi River are making inroads in boosting the efficiency of freight transportation in the United States. Aurora Innovation, a self-driving freight developer, last year launched a commercial self-driving trucking service in Texas, starting regular driverless customer deliveries between Dallas and Houston. This year, Aurora Innovation and its manufacturing partner Roush launched their second-generation driverless trucks. Aurora plans to deploy the new fleet across its commercial network, which currently encompasses 10 driverless routes throughout the U.S. Sun Belt, to serve additional customers. "By working with a world-class manufacturing partner like Roush, we can meet our customer demand and continue to make the movement of goods safer and more efficient across the country," said Chris Urmson, CEO and co-founder of Aurora Innovation. Also this year, PepsiCo and Gatik announced a multi-year strategic partnership to bring autonomous freight into PepsiCo's North America food and beverage supply chain. This is the largest commercial autonomous freight deployment to date, PepsiCo said. Today, Gatik is already operating for PepsiCo across Texas, Arizona, and Arkansas. Gatik's autonomous trucks help PepsiCo's regional transportation networks, where products move daily from site to site. "Autonomous trucking has reached commercial scale when it operates inside one of the most demanding supply chains on the planet," Gautam Narang, CEO and Co-Founder of Gatik, said in June. "That is what Gatik is doing with PepsiCo. Our autonomous trucks are already moving products every day across Texas, Arizona, and Arkansas, and this partnership is proof that Gatik is becoming central to how the world's largest companies move goods." Jim Farrell, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain, PepsiCo, said, "Gatik is already operating inside our networks and brings the autonomous freight technology, commercial experience, and scale we need to strengthen service, add capacity, and move products more consistently for our customers." On the Mississippi, maritime autonomy and situational awareness systems developer Mythos AI last year installed its Advanced Pilot Assist Systems (APAS) on a Southern Devall tow vessel, the first deployment of this type of technology on the Mississippi River. Technology and automation could soon transform American inland shipping, too. All these advances in freight transportation technologies suggest that U.S. fuel demand could fundamentally change in the coming years thanks to fuel savings and electrification. In 2025, transportation accounted for about 29% of total U.S. energy consumption. Petroleum products accounted for about 89% of the total energy use of the U.S. transportation sector, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). In 2025, the annual use of diesel, the backbone of the freight sector and a driver of any economy, in the transportation sector accounted for about 75% of total U.S. distillate consumption and about 14% of total U.S. petroleum consumption. On an energy content basis, diesel fuel accounted for about 22% of total energy consumption in the U.S. transportation sector and for about 6% of U.S. total primary energy consumption, per EIA data. Automation and other technology breakthroughs could soon reshape energy use in the transportation sector. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

Roush celebrates GM 2025 Supplier of the Year award in Transportation Services. May 21, 2026 LIVONIA, Mich., - Roush is proud to announce its recognition as a General Motors Supplier of the Year, receiving the prestigious 2025 Supplier of the Year in the Creativity Team of Transportation Services award. This distinguished honor shines a spotlight on Roush's outstanding support of GM programs and launch support activities, reflecting the powerful momentum and deep trust at the heart of the Roush-GM partnership. The award represents a remarkable milestone, underscoring the spirit of collaboration, mutual vision, and technical excellence that continuously propel both organizations toward greater heights. As partners, Roush Enterprise is united by bold ideas and a commitment to transform possibilities into real-world achievements. A moment defined by performance, Creativity, and partnership. Roush's honored status was driven by the creative ingenuity and tireless dedication of its teams supporting GM's transportation services and launch support initiatives. This recognition is a testament to agile execution, breakthrough problem-solving, and engineering-driven partnership - all crucial ingredients that help launch ambitious programs and foster new opportunities. Equally important, this award demonstrates the strength of its working relationship with GM purchasing and cross-functional teams. Through ongoing collaboration and a shared drive for excellence, the partnership continues to accelerate - and together, Roush Enterprise imagine what's next and pave the way for continued growth. The meaning behind the award. Being recognized by a global innovator like GM is an affirmation of the values that define its work: engineering rigor, operational speed, and the power of teamwork. The Supplier of the Year award is not just an accolade - it's a symbol of sustained trust and consistent delivery, forged through years of partnership and shared pursuit of progress. To be named as one of GM's Suppliers of the Year speaks to the strength and momentum Roush Enterprise build together. It also echoes a fundamental Roush belief: when people unite in purpose, combine creative minds with exacting standards, and rise to a challenge, countless new doors open. This moment is both a celebration of what's been accomplished and a call to reach even higher together. Honored in Austin: A celebration of excellence. This May, leaders from both organizations gathered in Austin, Texas, for GM's annual awards event, joining other standout suppliers from around the world. Roush was formally recognized for its contributions and achievements over the past year in an atmosphere charged with inspiration and possibility. The event provided a powerful reminder that its successes are built on the ingenuity, passion, and resilience of every team member. For everyone at Roush, the ceremony was an opportunity to honor the exceptional people behind its journey and to recognize the collaboration with GM that fuels its shared success. Momentum to shape the future - Together. This achievement reflects more than a single success; it is a milestone in an ongoing story of innovation, partnership, and courageous problem-solving. The momentum is real and growing, as Roush and GM look ahead with confidence and purpose. Roush's designation as 2025 Supplier of the Year in the Creativity Team of Transportation Services embodies the essence of outstanding engineering, meaningful collaboration, and a shared commitment to making the extraordinary possible. Together, Roush Enterprise will continue to transform challenges into opportunities and build new legacies - one bold idea at a time.