From 16GB to More Than 300GB: Car Memory Demand Surges With Smarter Driving Systems

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published April 6, 2026

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The auto industry is moving toward a sharp rise in memory demand as modern vehicles rely more heavily on AI, cameras, radar and advanced driver assistance systems.

Micron Technology said the average car today, operating below Level 2 advanced assistance, contains about 16GB of DRAM, while Level 4 autonomous vehicles may require more than 300GB.

The gap reflects the growing volume of data vehicles must process and store in real time as the industry shifts from basic assistance features to systems capable of handling driving tasks within defined operating conditions.

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Level 2 still requires the human driver to remain engaged and monitor the road, while Level 4 systems are designed to take responsibility for driving within specific environments. That transition significantly increases memory and computing needs inside the vehicle.

In earlier estimates based on S&P Global Mobility data, Micron said the average vehicle used about 90GB of memory and storage combined, with that figure projected to rise to roughly 278GB by 2026. Higher end models could approach 2TB.

The company says the shift is already affecting the market, with demand rising alongside wider adoption of Level 2+ ADAS and more software heavy smart cabin features in new vehicles.

Reuters also reported in March that Chinese EV maker NIO warned memory chip shortages had increased costs and could, in some cases, disrupt production, adding further pressure to the sector.

The broader trend suggests that memory and storage are becoming core components in the next generation of vehicles as automakers push deeper into automation, safety technology and software driven design.