3 Best Self-Driving Car ETFs to Buy in 2026

Semiconductor stocks like Nvidia (NVDA -1.35%) and Qualcomm (QCOM -8.43%) that are closely linked to artificial intelligence (AI) often represent major positions in the best self-driving car ETFs. EV makers that offer autonomous driving capabilities, such as Tesla (TSLA -2.23%), are also prominently featured in these funds, providing investors with a wide range of exposure to the burgeoning field.

Why invest in self-driving car ETFs?

Some driver assistance technologies, like cruise control, have been around for decades. However, the introduction of truly autonomous features came in the early 21st century when tools like automatic parallel-parking assistance -- available in the 2003 Toyota (TM -1.74%) Prius -- emerged.

Vehicles now demonstrate a wide range of self-driving capabilities, including vehicles made by Aurora Innovation (AUR -9.47%), which began operations of its self-driving trucks in May 2025. With notable advancements in autonomous driving capabilities, there are plenty of reasons to consider a self-driving car position, including:

• It's still the early innings for the autonomous driving industry, making it an exciting opportunity for growth investors.
• Investing in self-driving car ETFs can help investors achieve portfolio diversification.
• Those with low risk tolerances may take advantage of an ETF option.

How to invest in self-driving car ETFs

Finding potential self-driving car ETFs is relatively easy, but finding the right fund that aligns best with an individual investor's goals requires a few extra steps. To perform their due diligence, investors should research the various options, paying attention to whether the individual fund's holdings, goals, and expense ratios align with their own interests. Here are the steps to take to invest in a self-driving car ETF:

1. Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account, where you manage your investments.
2. Search for the stock: Enter the stock ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
3. Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
4. Select the order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
5. Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
6. Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.

Three best self-driving car ETFs to invest in 2026

1. iShares Self-Driving EV and Tech ETF

With approximately $154 million in net assets, the iShares Self-Driving EV and Tech ETF (IDRV -1.60%) aims to match the investment results of an index composed of companies positioned to benefit from growth in the EV industry, including EV makers and businesses specializing in developing battery technologies and autonomous driving solutions.

With exposure to a variety of industries, such as smart devices and 3D printing, autonomous mobility (which includes smart cars) represents the largest technology in the ETF -- about 43% at the end of Q3 2025.

Tesla, the second-largest position, provides considerable exposure with its 10% weighting. The ETF typically has between 30 and 50 holdings. Other self-driving car makers in the ETF include Aurora Innovation and BYD.

Investors who bought the ETF when it launched in 2014 have enjoyed market-beating returns: The ARK fund had provided a total return of 567% from its inception through the middle of January 2026, compared to the S&P 500's return of 313%. The ARK Autonomous Tech & Robotics ETF doesn't currently pay a dividend and has an expense ratio of 0.75%.

Factors to consider before investing in self-driving car ETFs

The thought of investing in self-driving car ETFs may rev some investors' engines, but before they proceed with an investment, there are a few important considerations:

• Is there extensive exposure to tech and industrial stocks in your portfolio? Many investors need to maintain a well-diversified portfolio.
• If there is a heavier concentration toward tech and industrial stocks, are you comfortable with the risks of concentration in one sector?
• Are you prioritizing passive income? While many self-driving car ETFs pay dividends, their yields are often below 2%.
• Are you patient and willing to endure some bumps in the road? Growth in the self-driving car industry will be slow -- not overnight.

Should I invest in self-driving car ETFs?

The widespread acceptance of self-driving cars certainly won't happen overnight, and there are sure to be some bumps in the road as the industry matures. For investors looking to mitigate the risks associated with investment in individual stocks, a self-driving car ETF is a logical option.

From the concentrated exposure to EV carmakers, such as in the iShares Self-Driving EV and Tech ETF, to the more diverse range of self-driving car-related companies held in the Global X Autonomous & Electric Vehicle ETF, to the various technologies represented in the ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF, investors have a range of choices that will surely meet their individual investment goals.

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Future outlook for the self-driving car industry

Self-driving capabilities have come a long way over the past decade, and there's a lot more to come. Even though investing in the self-driving industry is a long-term play, investors will recognize plenty of signs that are already emerging as green flags. Long gone are the days when cruise control was the most sophisticated form of self-driving; companies are making inroads toward advanced levels of self-driving.

At the CES in January 2026, for example, Nvidia introduced the Nvidia Alpamayo family of open AI models. These models comprise simulation tools and data sets intended to expedite advancements in safe, reasoning‑based autonomous vehicles.

Speaking to the merits of Alpamayo and its potential to help advance self-driving capabilities, Sarfraz Maredia, global head of autonomous mobility and delivery at Uber (UBER +1.60%), said, "Alpamayo creates exciting new opportunities for the industry to accelerate physical AI, improve transparency and increase safe level 4 deployments."

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