I think they see their salvation as self-driving cars come to fruition. I think it's a way for them to combat the fact that the internal combustion engine will eventually die a natural death are an unnatural death.

Religions say to be good and follow the precepts or something terrible will happen to you in this life or after you die. (Fear.)
Take this drug or you will die. (Which could be true but promoted to the point of fear mongering.)
Use our product or you will be left out of important social norms. (Fear of being shunned.)
Buy this life insurance so your relatives won't be destitute. (Fear)
Fear everything because you are being watched. (This is something that I think has created fear to the point of people going off the grid or stocking up on goods for the Apocalypse.)
The earth is flat and you are being used by the global elite. (Fear)

Society is permeated with so many different types of fear. To me it is the unspoken word used in public relations, advertising, politics and religion. Make someone afraid and convince them that you have the solution and can protect them and they will follow your every word.

Natural fears are good. Fear of fire keeps a person from being burned to death.