Autonomous vehicles could change how people move around European cities. From addressing driver shortages to improving accessibility and making demand-responsive transport more affordable, the opportunities are considerable. Yet despite progress in autonomous driving technology, turning these innovations into everyday mobility services remains a challenge. 

For Europe, the question is not only how to develop autonomous vehicles, but how to create the conditions for their deployment at scale. This means looking beyond the technology itself and addressing the regulatory, financial and operational barriers that stand between successful pilots and services that can operate across European cities. 

Making autonomous mobility work for cities 

Introducing autonomous vehicles into urban transport networks involves much more than getting the technology right. Cities need to consider how these services fit alongside existing public transport, which mobility needs they address and how they can benefit residents. 

For operators, the challenges are equally practical. Developing a viable service requires the right infrastructure, connectivity, operational capabilities and business model. What works in one city may not necessarily work in another, particularly when local transport priorities and regulatory conditions differ. 

These questions will be central to EIT Urban Mobility’s session at Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress in Barcelona on 3 November, where cities, public transport operators and industry representatives will explore what it takes to move from isolated pilots to services that can be replicated across Europe. 

Removing barriers to deployment 

One of the challenges facing autonomous mobility in Europe is the fragmentation of national approval procedures. A vehicle authorised for testing or deployment in one country cannot necessarily operate under the same authorisation in another, creating additional costs and complexity for companies looking to expand. 

Greater harmonisation and mutual recognition of authorisations could make it easier to deploy services across borders while maintaining appropriate safety safeguards. 

Approval procedures also need to reflect how autonomous driving technology develops. Allowing vehicles to progress gradually from testing to commercial operations, under clearly defined conditions and continued safety monitoring, would help companies gather the real-world evidence needed for wider deployment.  

The cross-border autonomous vehicle testbeds is a crucial initiative launched by the European Commission to harmonise deployment conditions across EU member states. Recent additional signatures indicate a promising pathway to expand to all EU member states. The initiative should also focus on affiliated countries and Norway’s signature of the Declaration of Intend is a promising signal there.  

The Automotive Omnibus can provide the relevant legislative framing on European level. As the file goes through the legislative process, the latest developments in the connected and autonomous mobility sector need to be reflected in the regulation. The automotive omnibus is a timely legislative vehicle to accompany the autonomous vehicle testbed initiative on the legislative side and should incorporate the ambition of an integrated European autonomous vehicle market based on European technology and operational models.  

Similarly, enabling vehicle platforms and automated driving systems to be approved in separate stages could open opportunities for technology providers to work with different manufacturers, supporting innovation and competition. 

Investing in a European autonomous mobility market 

Beyond regulation, Europe needs to consider where it can build a competitive position in the autonomous mobility industry. Opportunities extend from vehicle hardware and software to systems integration and the operation of mobility services. 

However, developing these capabilities requires investment, particularly as companies move from technology development towards commercial deployment. Coordinating public and private funding, and concentrating support on larger initiatives involving several European markets, could help reduce investment risks and create opportunities for European businesses. 

Initiatives such as ADACities provide a starting point for bringing cities and industry together. 

Ultimately, autonomous mobility will only fulfil its potential if Europe can connect technological innovation with the practical realities of urban transport. Making that happen will require cities, industry and policymakers to work together, supported by regulations that facilitate deployment and investment that allow promising solutions to grow beyond the pilot stage.