IVECO, the Iveco Group brand responsible for designing, manufacturing, and marketing light, medium, and heavy commercial vehicles, has announced a new autonomous driving programme in partnership with PlusAI, a long-standing collaborator and global leader in AI-powered virtual driver software for autonomous trucks.
As part of this initiative, the two companies plan to deliver Southern Europe’s first deployment of heavy-duty trucks equipped with Level 4 Autonomous Driving Systems (ADS). The project will be carried out in collaboration with Spanish logistics operator Sesé and the Government of Aragon, marking a major milestone for autonomous freight transport in the region.
Under the programme, IVECO and PlusAI will jointly develop two heavy-duty trucks featuring Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities, powered by PlusAI’s SuperDrive virtual driver technology. Beginning in 2026, the vehicles will undergo multi-year testing, with a safety operator present onboard throughout the entire trial period to ensure maximum safety.
The autonomous vehicles will be based on the IVECO S-Way heavy-duty platform and are expected to operate on commercial freight routes for Sesé. Their planned route will connect Madrid with Zaragoza, the capital of the Aragon region, along a major freight corridor spanning approximately 300 km (184 miles).
Marco Liccardo, Chief Technology & Digital Officer at Iveco Group, highlighted the strategic importance of the project: “Vehicle automation is a key pillar of Iveco Group’s technology strategy. We are thrilled to reinforce our strong partnership with PlusAI to further innovate our ADAS and ADS technologies on board IVECO trucks. This project moves us closer to offering our customers the highest-quality technology for increasingly sustainable transport.”
Shawn Kerrigan, COO and Co-Founder of PlusAI, emphasized the broader impact of autonomous trucking: “Autonomous trucks are a transformative technology that can significantly improve road safety and reshape commercial freight transportation worldwide. We are proud to expand our partnership with IVECO to include Level 4 autonomous trucking operations in Spain and Germany. Together with Sesé, we are demonstrating how autonomous driving can enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability while strengthening the competitiveness of Europe’s supply chains.”
Iveco Group has been actively researching and developing autonomous and connected driving solutions for several years, including advanced joint testing and pilot programmes with PlusAI across Level 2+ and Level 4 autonomy. These efforts aim to deliver transport solutions that are safer, cleaner, smarter, and more efficient. Meanwhile, PlusAI is entering its next growth phase as a publicly traded company, following its previously announced business combination with Churchill Capital Corp IX.
