Overview
- The three companies announced the plan Thursday, with public-road testing already running in Zagreb and fare-charging service in preparation, though no launch date or initial fleet size was disclosed.
- Pony.ai will supply its Gen-7 self-driving system, Verne will own and operate the fleet and lead EU approvals, and Uber will plug the service into its app, with Uber also set to invest in Verne.
- Early rides will use BAIC’s Arcfox Alpha T5 electric SUV fitted with Pony.ai’s sensors and software, and trips will be bookable in Uber as well as Verne’s app once operations open to the public.
- The partners say they aim to grow to thousands of robotaxis and expand to more European cities, while Reuters reports Pony.ai targets more than 3,000 vehicles across 20-plus cities globally in 2026 with nearly half outside China.
- Europe has lagged the U.S. and China on paid driverless rides due to patchwork regulation, and rivals are lining up with Waymo eyeing London in 2026 and Momenta preparing tests in Germany, setting up a race for city-by-city approval.