Platooning in Brazil: The Revolution of Cargo Transportation

While you read this text, dozens of trucks in convoys are traveling on highways in the United States, Europe, and Japan, carrying real cargo using a technology called platooning. In 2026, the sector moved beyond promise and became business: global investments in platooning surpassed US$ 15 billion, with companies like Peloton Technology, Scania, and Volvo leading tests on public roads (TechCrunch, 2026). The question is no longer "if" the technology will dominate freight transport, but "when" it will happen — and who will be left behind.

In Brazil, the movement is starting to gain traction. ANTT (National Agency for Land Transport) launched a pilot program for platooning tests on federal highways, with projections of a 30% reduction in logistics costs (Agência Brasil, 2026). The outlook is promising, but still surrounded by regulatory, structural, and social challenges that need to be addressed before we see 100% automated convoys operating here.

What is Platooning and Why is it in the Spotlight?

Platooning is a technology that allows two or more trucks to connect electronically, forming a convoy. The lead vehicle sets the speed and direction, while the others follow automatically, with reduced distances between them. This proximity creates an aerodynamic effect that reduces fuel consumption by up to 10% for the following vehicles — a figure that, in a fleet of thousands of trucks, represents millions in savings (McKinsey & Company, 2026).

Tests on public roads have already moved beyond the experimental stage. In the United States, Peloton Technology operates commercial routes between Dallas and Houston with remote supervision. Scania, the European leader, expanded its operations in Sweden and Germany. Volvo, in turn, is focusing efforts on medium-sized deliveries in metropolitan areas (TechCrunch, 2026).

China, in turn, is not far behind. The Chinese government has already approved test zones in more than 20 cities, and local companies such as Inceptio Technology and DeepWay have already accumulated millions of kilometers driven in platooning mode. The difference is that, there, the integration between road infrastructure and V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communication technology is far more advanced than in the West.

Brazil: ANTT's Pilot Program and Regulatory Challenges

The Brazilian movement officially began in 2026. ANTT launched a pilot program allowing platooning tests on selected stretches of federal highways (Agência Brasil, 2026). The goal is ambitious: to reduce logistics costs by 30%, a significant relief for a country where road transport accounts for more than 60% of the cargo matrix.

But the road is steep. Brazil faces challenges that go beyond regulation. Most federal highways lack the necessary infrastructure to support large-scale platooning operations — there is a lack of adequate signage, continuous 5G internet coverage, and consistent road maintenance. Furthermore, Brazilian legislation still does not clearly define who is responsible in the event of an accident involving an automated convoy: the manufacturer, the operator, or the cargo owner?

The Brazilian startup FLEET is betting on this technology as an intermediate solution. The company raised R$ 200 million in 2026 to develop platooning technology — the formation of truck convoys that follow each other automatically, with a lead vehicle guiding the others (Startupi, 2026). Tests are concentrated on highways in the interior of São Paulo, one of the regions with the best logistics infrastructure in the country. Platooning is seen as a strategic first step: it allows reducing costs and testing the technology without completely removing the driver from the equation.

The Impact on the Logistics Chain and Employment

The adoption of platooning does not only affect drivers. It reshapes the entire logistics chain. Insurers will need to create pricing models based on telemetry data. Manufacturers will have to rethink vehicle design — without a driver's cabin, the space can be used to increase cargo capacity. Fuel stations and rest areas will need to reinvent themselves to serve vehicles that do not need to stop.

The social impact is the most sensitive point. In Brazil, it is estimated that more than 1.5 million people live directly from road freight transport (Agência Brasil, 2026). The transition to platooning fleets could eliminate a significant portion of these jobs in less than a decade. The question is how to make this transition fairly — with professional requalification programs, minimum income policies, and incentives for drivers to migrate to remote supervision and specialized maintenance roles.

On the other hand, automation could drastically reduce accidents. Human error is responsible for the vast majority of collisions involving trucks. Platooning systems do not get distracted, do not drive under the influence of alcohol, and do not get tired after 14 hours on the road. The gain in road safety is a strong argument in favor of the technology — and one that needs to be weighed when discussing the future of the sector.

The Path to 2030

The outlook for 2030 is one of gradual integration, not abrupt replacement. McKinsey projects that platooning will dominate long-distance routes in countries with advanced infrastructure (McKinsey & Company, 2026). In Brazil, the most likely scenario is a hybrid model: automated convoys on well-signposted highway stretches, with human drivers taking control in the first and last kilometers — the so-called "final miles," which require navigation in complex urban areas.

Platooning, in this context, serves as a gateway. It allows companies to accumulate experience with the technology, train teams, and adapt processes before making the leap to fully autonomous driving. FLEET already operates convoys with two or three vehicles in São Paulo, with encouraging results in terms of fuel savings and accident reduction (Startupi, 2026).

Brazilian regulation needs to evolve in parallel. ANTT's pilot program is a good start, but comprehensive legislation is still lacking to define clear rules for the homologation of platooning vehicles, civil liability in the event of accidents, and data protection for telemetry systems. Without this legal framework, Brazil risks falling behind in the global race for transport automation.

Conclusion

Platooning represents a historic opportunity for Brazil to modernize its logistics, reduce costs, and save lives on the roads. However, the success of this technology depends on a coordinated effort between government, industry, and society. ANTT has already taken the first step with the pilot program, and companies like FLEET show that the private sector is willing to invest. But it is necessary to accelerate the creation of a clear regulatory framework, invest in digital infrastructure, and, above all, plan a fair transition for workers in the sector. If these challenges are addressed seriously, Brazil can not only keep pace with the platooning revolution but also become an example of how automation can be implemented sustainably and inclusively. The future of freight transport is at stake — and the time to act is now.