Einride has signed a memorandum of understanding with SH 130 Concession Company to establish an autonomous freight testbed along the State Highway 130 corridor between Austin and San Antonio. The partnership makes Einride the first autonomous truck company to collaborate with the toll road operator on this type of initiative.
Highlights
- Einride will use SH 130 Segments 5 and 6 to validate its cab-less autonomous freight vehicles on highway and frontage road environments.
- The collaboration includes plans for a next-generation rest stop with high-capacity EV charging and autonomous truck docking infrastructure.
- Einride and SH 130 Concession Company will explore integrating Einride’s Saga AI optimization software with the toll road’s digital systems.
- SH 130’s 41-mile southern section serves as an alternative to I-35, the primary U.S. freight route linking Mexico and Canada.
Testbed Scope and Infrastructure
The collaboration will create an infrastructure-ready testbed for Einride’s purpose-built, cab-less autonomous freight vehicles. Safety validation will cover highway operations on Segments 5 and 6 of SH 130. It will also include integration with adjacent frontage roads to support first- and last-mile connectivity.
Einride CEO Roozbeh Charli said the partnership furthers Austin’s role as a hub for the company’s U.S. autonomous freight operations. He described it as a step toward proving the scalability and economic viability of electric and autonomous freight through collaboration with infrastructure operators and regulators.
Smart Corridor and Charging Plans
Beyond road testing, the two companies plan to draft a blueprint for a rest stop designed specifically for electric autonomous trucks. The facility would incorporate high-capacity EV charging and specialized docking capabilities.
They will also investigate integrating Einride’s Saga AI platform with SH 130 Concession Company’s digital ecosystem. The goal is to enhance data sharing, traffic management, and operational efficiency across the corridor.
SH 130 Concession Company CEO Ananth Prasad said the company is working with freight customers, industry partners, and TxDOT to implement new technology solutions. He added that the company aims to establish SH 130 as a nationally recognized route for autonomous freight movement.
Einride’s Commercial Position
Einride operates under a Freight-Capacity-as-a-Service model that bundles autonomous and electric trucks, AI optimization software, and charging infrastructure. The company runs one of the world’s largest electric heavy-duty fleets, with operations across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. It currently has autonomous trucks in daily customer operations in both the U.S. and Europe.
The company reports more than 25 enterprise customers across seven countries. It cites approximately $65 million in expected annual recurring revenue from signed contracts, along with over $800 million in potential long-term ARR through joint business plans. Einride is pursuing a public listing on the New York Stock Exchange through a proposed business combination with Legato Merger Corp. III.
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