Stellantis teams up with Bolt to test driverless ride-hailing in Europe from 2026

Europe welcomes autonomous ride-hailing

Bolt is bringing driverless vehicles to European streets starting in 2026. The company is partnering with Stellantis to test Level 4 autonomous cars, aiming to develop a reliable driverless ride-hailing service across major cities.

This collaboration combines Bolt’s ride-hailing network in 23 EU countries with Stellantis’ AV-Ready Platforms for safer and more efficient mobility. The partnership reflects growing interest in autonomous transport across Europe.

Bolt partners with Stellantis for testing

Bolt and Stellantis will gradually introduce autonomous vehicles using prototypes and small pilot fleets. This phased approach will help refine operations and ensure safety before full deployment in European cities.

The focus is on mid-sized vans and STLA Small platforms built for Level 4 automation. These vehicles can operate autonomously in certain conditions.

Pony.ai joins the European venture

Bolt previously partnered with Pony.ai to bring robotaxis to Europe in November 2025. Stellantis has also signed a separate Level 4 robotaxi partnership with Pony.ai, which, alongside Bolt’s own partnership with Pony.ai, positions the three companies for deeper collaboration in autonomous mobility over time.

This alliance combines European ride-hailing expertise with proven autonomous driving technology. The companies aim to make driverless vehicles a trusted and convenient option.

Level 4 technology explained

Level 4 autonomous vehicles can drive without humans in defined environments, according to Reuters. This requires advanced mapping, sensors, and software to safely navigate urban roads and traffic patterns.

Stellantis’ AV-Ready Platforms are designed for flexibility and safety. CEO Antonio Filosa states that the goal is to provide a smooth and reliable experience for passengers across Europe.

Pilot fleets arrive in 2026

Testing will begin in select European cities with limited autonomous vehicle fleets to carefully monitor performance and safety. These early trials will also focus on cybersecurity, data protection, and meeting EU standards, ensuring a secure and reliable service.

Bolt’s operational expertise ensures ride-hailing services run smoothly during testing periods. Markus Villig, Bolt’s CEO, says this collaboration is the next step toward the company’s ambition of having around 100,000 autonomous vehicles on its platform by 2035, according to Future Transport News.

Toward 100,000 autonomous vehicles

Bolt plans to have 100,000 autonomous vehicles on its platform by 2035, aiming to make driverless mobility widely available. Stellantis vehicles are expected to play a significant role in this ambitious European expansion.

The rollout will be phased, starting with prototypes, moving to pilot fleets, and then to large-scale production. The partnership aims to set new standards for safety, efficiency, and user experience.

Environmental benefits of robotaxis

Shared autonomous fleets can help cut emissions and congestion by replacing some private car trips with pooled rides, which can support cities’ climate goals, according to company statements and transport research. Fewer cars on the road could mean smaller carbon footprints while maintaining mobility for millions of riders.

Driverless ride-hailing can, in theory, optimize routes and reduce wasted miles, potentially improving traffic flow in certain scenarios. Bolt frames autonomous fleets as a chance to offer lower-emission, shared mobility while serving a growing European customer base.

Bolt’s European network strength

Bolt operates in over 50 countries, including 23 EU member states, serving more than 200 million customers. This extensive network provides the company with a strong platform for introducing autonomous ride-hailing services across Europe.

Combining this reach with Stellantis’ AV-Ready Platforms allows for scalable deployment of autonomous vehicles. Markus Villig says this partnership unites technology and operational expertise to offer a reliable service, according to Future Transport News.

Stellantis’ AV-ready platforms

The eK0 medium-sized van and STLA Small platform are built specifically for Level 4 autonomous driving. Company announcements say both platforms are engineered for Level 4 autonomy, meaning they can operate without a human driver under specific conditions.

These vehicles are designed for flexibility and everyday usability. Stellantis aims to establish autonomous fleets that gain public trust while enhancing efficiency and accessibility.

Regulatory cooperation in Europe

Bolt and Stellantis are working closely with European regulators to ensure autonomous vehicles meet safety, cybersecurity, and operational standards. Data protection and compliance with EU rules are also key priorities.

Early regulatory collaboration helps prevent delays and increases public confidence in autonomous mobility. The partnership aims to ensure services are safe, reliable, and aligned with regional requirements.

Robotaxi collaborations expanding

Autonomous vehicle partnerships are expanding rapidly across Europe. Uber plans to test Level 4 robotaxis with Momenta in Munich starting in 2026, and Lyft is preparing to deploy Baidu’s Apollo Go vehicles in Germany and the UK from 2026, according to Electrive and Reuters.

Bolt’s collaboration with Stellantis and Pony.ai adds to this growing trend. European cities are becoming hubs for the development and testing of shared autonomous mobility services.

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Phased rollout plan

The rollout will begin with prototypes in 2026, progress to pilot fleets, and scale to full industrial deployment by 2029. This phased approach allows careful testing while maintaining high safety and operational standards, according to a joint statement from Stellantis and Bolt.

Pilot fleets will collect real-world data and refine vehicle performance and software. Bolt expects a smooth scale-up to tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles serving millions by 2035.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.