The Renault Group and WeRide have intensified testing of autonomous electric minibuses in several European cities, strengthening their driverless mobility strategy. Following a successful initial phase at Roland-Garros, where the minibuses traveled 1,000 km and transported 700 people, further trials have been launched in Barcelona, Valencia, and Zurich.
Renault and WeRide tests in busy urban areas
From March 10 to 14, Renault and WeRide deployed autonomous electric minibuses in downtown Barcelona . The 2.2-km route allowed them to evaluate the technology’s adaptability in congested streets with high pedestrian interaction. These tests aim to demonstrate that driverless transport can be efficiently integrated into cities with complex traffic.
In France , Valence has been the site of a pilot test using L4 range minibuses. This project connects the TGV train station to a 162-hectare business park, benefiting 150 companies and 3,000 employees. Following the experimental phase scheduled from March 10 to April 19, commercial deployment is planned for July 2025.
Since January 2025, Zurich Airport has been testing WeRide’s autonomous shuttles to improve internal staff movement. This environment, characterized by strict safety standards, tests the reliability of automation in highly demanding operational scenarios.
While the focus for private vehicles is on advanced driver assistance systems ( ADAS ), the implementation of L4-powered minibuses is considered viable for public transport. Furthermore, it is estimated that thousands of these minibuses will be deployed in European cities over the next decade to facilitate flexible, accessible, and sustainable mobility.
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Source and photo: Renault Group
