The computers needed to run self-driving cars could pose a serious threat to the environment. They could ultimately produce more greenhouse gas emissions per year than Argentina currently does, new research suggests. Fossil fuel-guzzling cars spew out billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Criticism of autonomous driving in 2026 focuses on safety edge cases, ethical dilemmas, and socio-economic displacement. While AI can reduce human error, current systems still struggle with "edge cases"—unpredictable scenarios like heavy snow obscuring lane markings, erratic pedestrian behavior, or complex hand signals from traffic officers. There is also the "trolley problem" ethical concern: how should the car be programmed to prioritize lives in an unavoidable crash? From a social perspective, the widespread adoption of autonomous trucks and taxis threatens the livelihoods of millions of professional drivers, potentially causing a massive labor crisis. Additionally, there are significant cybersecurity risks; a hacked autonomous fleet could be used as a coordinated weapon or cause city-wide gridlock. Lastly, critics argue that "driverless" tech encourages urban sprawl and increases total vehicle miles traveled, as people may be willing to endure longer commutes if they can work or sleep in the car, ultimately worsening traffic congestion.