Europe Embraces Robotaxis: A Slow Drive Toward Autonomous Mobility

Nadia Petrov | AFP

Europe is accelerating efforts to embrace self-driving taxis as major cities like London, Madrid, and Zagreb launch trials, but rigid regulations and public transport reliance remain challenges to widespread adoption.

Self-driving taxis, or 'robotaxis,' are increasingly making their mark on global streets, and Europe is the latest region to join the race. With major companies starting trials this year in capitals such as London, Madrid, and Zagreb, the European Union is set to officially accelerate its testing framework. Consulting firm BCG estimates that while Europe may lag behind in global adoption , projecting 120,000 robotaxis on its roads by 2035 compared to 850,000 in China and 350,000 in the United States , the continent is finally preparing to catch up to these market leaders.

Currently, private fleets of robotaxis are thriving in the United States and China, where the number of such vehicles doubled in 2025 to 8,000, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). These fleets operate in over two dozen major cities in each country, showcasing the rapid adoption of the technology. Europe, in contrast, has moved cautiously, with its first trials beginning on April 8 this year in Zagreb, Croatia, led by a collaboration between Chinese firm Pony.ai, the American rideshare giant Uber, and the Croatian startup Verne, which is part-owned by automaker Rimac.

Which cities in Europe are hosting robotaxi trials?

Several cities, including London, Madrid, Munich, Zagreb, and Luxembourg, are hosting robotaxi trials. For example, a Chinese firm partnered with Uber to launch trials in Zagreb, while London's trials include Waymo and Apollo Go.

Key Players and Cities Leading the Charge

London stands out as a hub for emerging trials, with three competitors entering the fray: Alphabet’s Waymo, Wayve in partnership with Uber, and Baidu's Apollo Go. Meanwhile, in Munich, Uber is deploying robotaxis using technology from Momenta, a Chinese company. Madrid recently announced a partnership between Chinese firm WeRide and Uber to roll out trials. Other notable trials include Apollo’s pilot program with Swiss Post in Switzerland and Pony.ai’s collaboration with Stellantis in Luxembourg.

Given their expertise and scale, these companies represent a who's-who of global autonomous vehicle pioneers. Waymo, for example, boasts a fleet of around 3,000 driverless taxis across a dozen U.S. cities. Baidu’s Apollo Go operates in 27 regions, including Dubai. Pony.ai aims to expand to 3,500 vehicles worldwide by 2026, while WeRide and Tesla are among other major players gaining traction.

Structural and Regulatory Challenges in Europe

Europe’s cautious approach is rooted in a combination of strict safety regulations and a deeply ingrained public transport culture. For instance, European lawmakers require a 'safety driver' to remain seated in each robotaxi’s passenger compartment during trials. This measure closely mirrors early testing requirements in the United States and China but adds another layer of complexity for companies looking to scale operations on the continent. The European Union plans to streamline this process by adopting a 'testbed' regulatory approach where companies would no longer need country-specific trial approvals, a move expected to remove key bottlenecks.

According to Anne-Marie Idrac, the EU’s senior official for autonomous vehicle development, transport ministers are likely to make this regulatory update official very soon. However, experts warn that governments also need to make critical strategic decisions regarding deployment priorities. Some argue that concentrating robotaxi services in densely populated cities offers the greatest short-term profitability, while others advocate for expanding operations to suburban and rural areas lacking adequate public transport.

Weighing Economic Potential Against Public Value

The broader economic stakes for Europe in the autonomous vehicle industry are significant. Research from Goldman Sachs estimates a $415-billion global market with up to six million vehicles worldwide by 2035. Yet, Europe’s competitive position is limited by its slower adoption curve, potentially missing out on near-term growth. As Herve de Treglode, a specialist in robotaxi infrastructure, explained, 'London and Madrid are ready, but the broader rollout will hinge on clearer policy commitments.'

Furthermore, stakeholders remain divided over whether governments should take an active role in funding and strategizing robotaxi initiatives. Laurence Debrincat, from the Paris regional transport authority, has publicly urged leaders to integrate autonomous vehicles into under-served suburban and rural areas. Meanwhile, private-sector leaders argue that government regulation could hinder the flexibility needed for market-driven growth.

Autonomous Vehicles and Urban Futures: Policy at a Crossroads

While robotaxis hold immense potential to reshape the transportation landscape, their future in Europe remains at a crossroads, with significant implications for urban life and municipal leadership. Are they destined to serve major metropolitan cities like London and Madrid, where population density and profitability align, or will policymakers mandate their deployment in less-serviced suburban and rural areas to fill gaps in public transit? This choice will likely shape not only how urban residents move but also how cities spend on infrastructure and regulatory oversight.

City leaders must balance immediate economic advantages with long-term social equity. In this early stage, partnerships between cities, private-sector innovators, and national governments could define whether Europe’s robotaxi movement thrives or stalls. As autonomous vehicle adoption accelerates globally, cities that demonstrate proactive leadership and cross-sectoral coordination may emerge as frontrunners in the race to usher in a new era of intelligent urban mobility.

Questions That Matter

What is Anne-Marie Idrac's role in EU autonomous vehicles?

Anne-Marie Idrac is the EU's senior official for autonomous vehicle development. She is involved in efforts to streamline the regulatory process for robotaxi trials across Europe.

How many robotaxis are projected in Europe by 2035?

By 2035, Europe is projected to have 120,000 robotaxis on its roads. This is in contrast to 850,000 in China and 350,000 in the United States.