From Madrid to Zagreb, Europe's autonomous vehicles are multiplying
From Tesla's FSD rollout to driverless lorries connecting Lidl's warehouses, a wave of approvals across the EU shows regulators embracing autonomous mobility faster than expected — and the pace shows no sign of slowing.
Europe's fascination with autonomous vehicles has surged since the start of the year, as multiple EU nations approved Tesla's Full Self-Driving mode. Soon after, Waymo, Google's self-driving taxi venture, unveiled its plans to launch operations in Munich by 2027.
Madrid's Region recently granted Uber, WeRide, and AVOMO permission to map and test autonomous passenger rides in the city, with the first rides anticipated by year-end 2026. AVOMO, a subsidiary of Spain's Moove Cars Group, aims to expand autonomous vehicle services in the U.S. and Europe.
Verne, a spinoff of Croatian carmaker Rimac, successfully conducted its first autonomous test drives from Zagreb Airport to the capital's business district using Nvidia-powered technology. The consortium aims to further expand this service in Zagreb.
Sweden's Einride secured Level 4 Standard certification from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority, allowing electrified lorries to shuttle Lidl warehouses with stores. Starting September 2026, these driverless trucks will enhance Lidl's supply chain resilience.
Germany's stringent road rules have bolstered confidence in future autonomous vehicle rollouts across Europe. EU Tech Loop previously reported that seven out of ten fatal accidents could be prevented by introducing driverless cars, potentially saving up to 13,000 lives annually. Despite technology pessimism in European rulemaking, the autonomous mobility sector is witnessing a significant shift as regulators embrace innovation.
This trend shows no signs of stopping, promising substantial improvements in road safety and consumer convenience.
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