1. EachPod

297. Why Robo-Taxis Are Losing the Battle for Energy

Author
SAE International
Published
Thu 04 Sep 2025
Episode Link
https://www.sae.org/tomorrow-today-ep297

The staggering energy demands of AI data centers are set to consume 12% of America’s electricity by 2028 — and tech giants are investing billions to secure supply. This leaves robo-taxi operators fighting for scraps in an energy market dominated by hyperscalers who are set to spend $322 billion combined this year alone.

 

In this Unplugged episode of SAE Tomorrow Today, host Grayson Brulte breaks down why energy is the real roadblock to autonomy and whether bold solutions like natural gas-powered depots could change the game for robo-taxi developers struggling to scale.

 

Have your own thoughts on this topic? We’d love to hear from you! Share your comments, questions or ideas for future topics with Grayson on Twitter or send them to [email protected].

 

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