In a groundbreaking achievement, WeRide, in collaboration with French autonomous mobility leader beti, has secured France’s prestigious Level-4 driverless public road testing and operating permit. This milestone cements WeRide’s status as the first and only technology company worldwide to hold driverless permits across five countries: China, the UAE, Singapore, France, and the USA.
Fastest Driverless Permit Approval in France
Under France’s 2019 PACTE law, obtaining a Level-4 driverless permit involves a stringent multi-agency evaluation process, overseen by the Directorate General for Energy and Climate (DGEC), in partnership with the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Ecological Transition. The process includes comprehensive assessments of technical documentation, safety protocols, and operational plans.
Remarkably, WeRide and beti navigated this rigorous process in just three months—setting a national record for the fastest approval of a driverless permit in France. This achievement underscores WeRide’s technological excellence and operational efficiency in the autonomous mobility sector.
Unveiling Europe’s First Commercial Autonomous Minibus Service
The newly granted permit authorizes WeRide’s autonomous minibus to operate at speeds of up to 40km/h—the highest-speed driverless approval in France to date. This significant milestone aligns with WeRide’s broader vision of revolutionizing urban transportation through autonomous solutions.
On February 27, WeRide, alongside beti, Renault Group, and French insurance giant Macif, launched Europe’s first public-road commercial autonomous minibus service in Valence, Drôme, France. With this regulatory approval, the initiative gains vital government endorsement, strengthening its prospects for expansion and mainstream adoption.
Looking ahead, WeRide and its partners aim to transition into a fully driverless commercial operation by July 2025, implementing a state-of-the-art one-to-multiple remote hypervision system for seamless oversight and operational efficiency.
Expanding a Global Footprint in Autonomous Mobility
WeRide continues to push the boundaries of autonomous mobility, having successfully deployed its innovative fleet—including robotaxis, robobuses, and robosweepers—in over 30 cities across 10 countries. The company’s pre-designed, mass-produced autonomous vehicles are currently operational in France, Spain, Switzerland, Singapore, the UAE, Japan, and beyond.
Strategic Partnerships for a Collaborative Future
As part of its commitment to fostering an open and cooperative ecosystem, WeRide has forged strategic alliances with leading industry players. These include Uber, the world’s largest mobility and delivery technology platform; Renault Group, a top-tier global automotive manufacturer; beti, a key European autonomous mobility operator; CTM, Singapore’s premier environmental services provider; Zurich Airport, one of Europe’s busiest transportation hubs; and Macif, a prominent insurance leader in France.
Through these collaborations, WeRide is accelerating the development and deployment of autonomous mobility solutions that redefine urban transportation on a global scale.
With its latest milestone in France, WeRide continues to solidify its position as a global pioneer, shaping the future of driverless mobility with cutting-edge innovation, strategic partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to safer, smarter, and more sustainable transportation solutions.