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WASHINGTON — Autonomous technology meant to enhance freight connectivity could transform the country’s commercial landscape and improve safety, President Joe Biden’s nominee to oversee trucking regulations told a U.S. Senate panel Sept. 22.

A California mayor said Tesla Inc. broke ground in his city on what it calls a new “Megafactory,” praising the planned facility in a Facebook post that was deleted and is now visible again.

Fleets in four market segments could switch to battery-electric vehicles right now, the North American Council for Freight Efficiency concluded after its recent Run on Less — Electric event.

The cost of the intractable semiconductor shortage has ballooned by more than 90%, pushing the total hit to 2021 revenue for the world’s automakers to $210 billion.

Retail fuel outlets such as truck stops and gas stations say they are seriously weighing investment in electric vehicle chargers, but face such challenges as customer “range anxiety,” high utility charges for electricity and political policy uncertainties.

C.H. Robinson launched a new tool to help businesses navigate spot market costs, the company announced Sept. 20.

Workhorse Group Inc. shares plunged Sept. 22 to their lowest since May after the embattled electric vehicle maker said it will suspend deliveries of its vans and recall units it has already delivered.

Aurora Innovation Inc., Paccar Inc. and FedEx Corp. launched a commercial pilot of autonomous trucking in Texas.

Redwood Materials Inc., the startup founded by Tesla alum J.B. Straubel, has formed a partnership with Ford Motor Co. to recycle and reuse key ingredients within the lithium-ion batteries that will power the automaker’s burgeoning fleet of electric vehicles.

Volkswagen AG’s truck division Traton SE became the latest manufacturer to warn the global shortage of semiconductors is jeopardizing deliveries.