Atlas Energy Solutions has expanded its autonomous trucking operations in the Permian Basin through its partnership with Kodiak AI, adding a second load-out location and outlining plans to increase its fleet to 100 driverless trucks by mid-2027.
The expansion extends the company’s autonomous proppant delivery programme along its 42-mile Dune Express sand conveyor system, allowing driverless trucks to operate from two locations simultaneously.
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Second Load-Out Point Expands Operations
Atlas said the additional load-out site increases the geographic coverage of its autonomous delivery network across the Permian Basin.
The company and Kodiak AI have agreed on a deployment timetable that would increase the autonomous fleet from 28 driverless trucks, operating as of March 31, 2026, to 100 vehicles by the middle of 2027.
The companies also expect the fleet to begin operating on public roads in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and operational milestones.
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Atlas currently operates autonomous trucks from sites in Texas and New Mexico, transporting proppant from its mining operations to oil and gas well locations.
Fleet Expansion Continues
According to Atlas, its autonomous trucking programme has expanded since commercial driverless operations began in 2024.
As of March 31, 2026, the company said its fleet of 28 autonomous trucks had completed approximately 7,000 deliveries across 15 routes, transporting more than 450,000 tons of sand and recording over 23,500 hours of driverless operation during the first quarter of 2026.
The company also reported that Kodiak-enabled trucks completed 176 sand deliveries in a single day on July 20, the highest daily total since driverless operations began in the Permian Basin.
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John Turner, Chief Executive Officer and President of Atlas Energy Solutions, said the partnership supports the company’s efforts to improve oilfield logistics.
“This partnership with Kodiak is a critical part of the Atlas Energy strategy to transform oilfield sand logistics through innovation.”
Don Burnette, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kodiak AI, said the companies have continued expanding their autonomous trucking operations through the partnership.
“Together, Atlas and Kodiak have deployed the world’s largest fleet of driverless big-rig trucks.”
Earlier this year, Atlas and Kodiak also introduced autonomous operations using triple-trailer configurations, allowing a single driverless truck to transport three connected trailers with a combined loaded weight of more than 135 tons.