Europe is taking a major step toward the future of transportation as 17 countries have agreed to coordinate autonomous vehicle testing across borders, a move designed to accelerate the deployment of robotaxis and other self-driving technologies throughout the continent.
The declaration, signed on Monday by transport ministers from 17 European nations alongside EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, aims to establish a unified framework for testing autonomous vehicles, replacing the fragmented national systems that have long slowed innovation in the sector.
The participating countries include France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden.
For years, autonomous vehicle developers have faced challenges navigating Europe's varying regulatory requirements, including different testing permits, approval processes, road regulations, and data standards. Industry leaders have argued that these inconsistencies have hindered large-scale deployment compared to markets such as the United States and China.
Under the new initiative, participating nations will collaborate on common approval principles, coordinated permitting procedures, and large-scale testing programs that extend across national borders. The effort will focus on key sectors including public transportation, freight operations, and logistics services.
The announcement comes as autonomous mobility projects gain momentum across Europe.
On the same day, ride-hailing giant Uber and British autonomous driving startup Wayve opened a public waiting list for self-driving taxi rides in London. The service is expected to launch in the coming months with safety operators onboard, marking a significant milestone for autonomous transportation in the United Kingdom.
Several European cities are already emerging as testing grounds for robotaxi technology. Zagreb, Croatia, has become one of Europe's earliest locations for autonomous taxi trials through a partnership involving Uber, Chinese autonomous driving company Pony.ai, and Croatian startup Verne.
Meanwhile, London is preparing for pilot programs involving three major operators: Waymo, the autonomous vehicle division of Alphabet; Wayve in partnership with Uber; and Apollo Go, a subsidiary of Chinese technology company Baidu.
Other initiatives are also underway across the continent. Madrid is set to host trials led by WeRide and Uber, Munich will see robotaxis powered by Momenta's technology, while Switzerland and Luxembourg are preparing pilot projects involving Apollo Go, Swiss Post, Stellantis, and Pony.ai.
Globally, the robotaxi market continues to expand rapidly. Industry leaders such as Waymo, Apollo Go, Pony.ai, and WeRide collectively operate thousands of autonomous vehicles across the United States, China, and other international markets.
According to industry forecasts, the number of robotaxis worldwide could reach between 700,000 and three million vehicles by 2035. Consultancy BCG estimates that Europe alone could account for approximately 120,000 robotaxis by that time, signaling significant growth opportunities for the region.
Experts believe Europe has traditionally lagged behind China and the United States due to stricter safety regulations and a greater reliance on public transportation networks. However, recent developments suggest that momentum is shifting.
"London is ready, Madrid too," said autonomous mobility expert Hervé de Tréglodé. "We may see commercial service by 2027."
With regulatory barriers gradually being addressed and testing programs expanding across multiple countries, Europe appears poised to play a much larger role in the global race toward autonomous transportation.
