Charger Logistics signs MOU to buy up to 500 Aurora driverless trucks
The non-binding deal, announced October 26, calls for deliveries in 2027 and 2028. Charger already runs Aurora trucks on the Laredo corridor.
A cross-border carrier wants to own a driverless fleet of its own.
Aurora Innovation announced on October 26 that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Charger Logistics. Under it, Charger intends to buy up to 500 trucks powered by the Aurora Driver, Aurora's self-driving system.
The deal
- Size: up to 500 Aurora Driver-powered trucks
- Timing: deliveries over 2027 and 2028
- Status: non-binding. A final agreement has not been signed.
- Model: Charger would own the trucks and subscribe to Aurora's Driver as a Service (DaaS)
- Routes: current and new high-volume lanes near the border and across the country
The MOU builds on a contract Charger signed with Aurora in July. Aurora says Charger has already run autonomous operations on the Laredo corridor.
Aurora's own forward-looking notes are blunt about the risk. They say the MOU may not result in a final agreement or binding orders "on the anticipated timeframe or at all."
What they said
"Since launching autonomous operations along the Laredo corridor, we've realized immediate operational benefits that point to a clear path to scaling," said Andy Khera, president of Charger Logistics.
Zac Andreoni, Aurora's vice president of business development, said owning the truck "makes today's operations more efficient and enables carriers to grow their business."
Who Charger is
The release describes Charger Logistics USA as a privately held, asset-based carrier that operates across the U.S. and Mexico. It runs truckload, dedicated, temperature-controlled and cross-border freight, plus warehousing and cold storage. Its customers are in food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, automotive, retail and consumer products.
The bigger picture
Aurora says DaaS deals are central to its plan to reach 30,000 driverless trucks in 2030, and that other customers are also pursuing DaaS contracts to own their own fleets.
Aurora also says it has launched second-generation hardware and trucks. For carriers, the model in this deal is worth watching: the truck would sit on the carrier's balance sheet, with Aurora supplying the driving system as a subscription.