GM's Autonomous EV Will Exclude Steering Wheel, Pedal
GM filed a safety petition with the U.S. government for the approval of an autonomous car that does not feature a steering wheel, pedals or other manual controls.

Photo courtesy of General Motors.

Photo courtesy of General Motors.
GM filed a safety petition with the U.S. government for the approval of an autonomous car that does not feature a steering wheel, pedals or other manual controls.
The Cruise AV, which is a rebranded version of GM’s Chevrolet Bolt EV, was designed to operate on its own, without a driver, the automaker announced. It will have a 360 degree view of its environment, and will be able to identify pedestrians or oncoming objects and respond accordingly.
To perform its perception functions, the vehicle has five LiDARs, 16 cameras and 21 radars, according to automaker. Customers of the vehicle will use a mobile app to request a ride, similar to other ride-sharing apps. Inside the vehicle, tablets will be available for passengers to access information about the ride.
General Motors is looking to have the Cruise AV enter the automaker’s first commercial ride-sharing fleet in 2019, according to Reuters.
The Cruise AV is the fourth generation of its self-driving vehicle, and is designed to drive only in known geo-fenced boundaries, and roads that the automaker has developed high-definition map data, according to the automaker. The Cruise AV will also be able to open its doors for passengers who are unable to do so.
The Cruise AV will feature an interior similar to the Bolt EV, but lacking the aforementioned appropriate components for manual navigation.
More Safety

Managing Road Risk at Scale: Why Fleet Safety Needs a Data-Driven Framework
Insights from the FIA Road and Driver Safety Indexes reveal how to manage road risk on a larger scale.
Read More →
Stellantis Recalls 1.3 Million Jeep Vehicles Worldwide Over Fire Risk
Stellantis is recalling more than 1.3 million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models worldwide over a fire risk linked to power steering pump wiring.
Read More →
Coaching Is Not Training, Even When AI Is Doing It
AI-powered safety platforms can detect risky behaviors and deliver immediate feedback. But effective driver development still requires a foundation of training followed by coaching that reinforces those skills.
Read More →
How Emotions Behind the Wheel Can Affect Fleet Safety
During National Safety Month, fleets are encouraged to look beyond distracted driving and recognize how stress, fatigue, and emotional well-being influence driver performance and crash risk.
Read More →
Nominations Open for 2026 Fleet Safety Award
Nominations have officially opened for the 2026 Fleet Safety Award Winner.
Read More →
Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter
Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.
Read More →
Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-time Prevention
Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Learn more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab.
Read More →
NAFA Fleet Safety Symposium to Collocate With 2026 Fleet Forward Conference
The daylong certificate program will precede the Fleet Forward Conference at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland.
Read More →
The Distractions You Can’t Turn Off: What Drivers Face Outside the Vehicle
Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.
Read More →
FLASH Weather AI Launches First Deep-Learning Hail Prediction Model With High-Resolution Forecasting
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
Read More →
