Renault Group says AVs suit public transportation

Renault Group says it is convinced of the role that autonomous public transport vehicles can play when authorities and operators are preparing to make choices for mobility’s future.

With its partner WeRide, Renault Group continues to multiply experiments across Europe, both to demonstrate the maturity of autonomous technologies implemented and also the relevance of the automated electric miniBus.

Renault Group unveiled its autonomous vehicle strategy in May 2024 and launched with its partner WeRide an open-road experimentation with two autonomous miniBuses running during the Roland-Garros tennis international in Paris.

The two AV minibuses covered 1000km and transported nearly 700 people.

Following this, many mobility players (local authorities, transport operators, private site managers, and others.) have shown their interest in operating this solution with new experiments underway across Europe, such as in Zurich (Switzerland), Valence (France) and Barcelona (Spain), with several more expected to be announced soon.

Two autonomous electric miniBuses operate on a 2.2km open road loop in Barcelona March 10-14, 2025, while Valence has a trial from March 10 to April 19, 2025, then a commercial service of level four automated shuttles from July 2025.

The trial held by WeRide at Zurich Airport (Switzerland) since January 2025 aims to make it easier for employees to travel between terminals.

Renault Group is focusing on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for individual vehicles while leaving the driver responsible for driving.

However, the group says it has made agility a priority, and follows developments, particularly cost and regulations, and will be able to offer solutions for individual vehicles with higher levels of autonomy when market conditions allow.

For public transportation, Renault Group sees relevance in offering L4 autonomous vehicles in the short term with remote supervision but without an operator on board.

 Faced with the rise of low-emission zones, cities and local authorities will have unprecedented challenges in terms of public transportation, says the group, estimating several thousand autonomous electric miniBuses will be needed in the coming decade.

Renault Group is considering offering a robotised electric miniBus platform by 2030, capable of integrating automation solutions from specialised partners.