Stellantis, Bolt and Métropole du Grand Paris have announced plans to introduce autonomous mobility services across Greater Paris, with initial pilot operations targeted for 2028 and a potential expansion to around 30 municipalities by 2030.
The initiative, called the Greater Paris Autonomous Driving Living Lab, aims to explore how self-driving vehicles can complement public transportation and improve mobility in one of Europe’s largest metropolitan areas.
The project has been submitted to the European Commission’s Autonomous Drive Ambition Cities (ADACities) initiative, which supports the development and deployment of autonomous mobility services across European cities.
Under the proposed partnership, Stellantis will supply vehicles based on its Level 4-ready platforms, while Bolt will oversee service integration and deployment planning. Métropole du Grand Paris will coordinate the project with local authorities and evaluate its potential benefits.
Autonomous Vehicle Pilot to Begin in 2028
The first phase of the project is expected to cover up to five municipalities in north-west Greater Paris, beginning in 2028.
The pilot will examine how autonomous vehicles perform in real-world urban conditions, focusing on safety, reliability, passenger experience and integration with existing transportation networks.
The partners will also assess the economic, social and environmental impacts of introducing driverless mobility services.
If the initial trials prove successful and the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained, the project could expand to approximately 30 municipalities by 2030, with the longer-term goal of launching commercial autonomous mobility operations.
However, the proposed rollout remains subject to regulatory authorization, safety assessments and the results of the initial testing phase.
Stellantis to Supply Level 4-Ready Autonomous Vehicles
Stellantis will contribute its vehicle engineering, manufacturing and integration expertise, supplying vehicles developed around its L4-Ready Platforms.
These platforms are designed to support Level 4 autonomous driving technology, which allows vehicles to operate without human driving intervention under defined operating conditions.
Bolt, through its Bolt Autonomous Driving Solutions division, will handle service integration and deployment planning. Its responsibilities will include combining the vehicles, autonomous driving technology and Bolt’s mobility platform into a service tailored to local transportation needs.
Pony.ai has been identified as a potential autonomous driving technology provider for the project. Its technology would be supported by NVIDIA Hyperion and the NVIDIA Halos safety system.
Pony.ai has experience developing and deploying autonomous driving technology in complex urban environments, making it a potential technology partner for the Greater Paris initiative.
The final deployment arrangements, including routes and operating conditions, will be developed in cooperation with participating municipalities and relevant authorities.
Improving First- and Last-Mile Transportation in Greater Paris
Greater Paris is home to approximately 7.2 million people and operates one of Europe’s most extensive public transportation networks.
Despite major infrastructure investments, including the Grand Paris Express expansion, transportation gaps remain in certain areas.
The proposed autonomous mobility services are intended to address some of these challenges by improving connections between residential neighborhoods, public transportation stations and employment centers.
Potential applications include first- and last-mile journeys, transportation during off-peak hours, access to business districts and mobility services during major events.
Rather than replacing buses, trains or metro services, the project will investigate whether autonomous vehicles can provide additional transportation options where existing services are limited or less convenient.
Safety and Public Transport Integration Will Be Key Priorities
A central objective of the Greater Paris Autonomous Driving Living Lab is to establish a practical framework for evaluating autonomous mobility in densely populated European cities.
Métropole du Grand Paris will oversee an independent evaluation covering operational safety, service quality, passenger acceptance, public transportation integration and potential environmental benefits.
The assessment will also examine operating costs and the economic conditions needed to support a commercially viable autonomous mobility service.
Aggregated operational data collected during the pilot will help authorities understand how driverless vehicles interact with existing transportation systems. All activities will be required to comply with applicable safety, regulatory and data protection requirements.
The findings will inform decisions about whether autonomous mobility services should be expanded across Greater Paris.
