Spain grants permit for autonomous vehicle testing, Uber says

• Spain's Directorate-General for Traffic authorized WeRide's GXR vehicle for mapping, route validation, and operational readiness testing ahead of commercial launch
• WeRide will provide autonomous driving technology while Uber supplies the ride-hailing platform, with AVOMO managing fleet operations
• The companies plan to deploy tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles across 15 cities globally by 2030 under their partnership

Spain Approves Autonomous Vehicle Testing for Uber and WeRide

Spanish authorities have issued the country's first national permits allowing WeRide autonomous vehicles to conduct testing on public roads, marking a significant regulatory milestone for autonomous vehicle deployment in the European Union.

Key Developments:

Spain's Directorate-General for Traffic has authorized WeRide's GXR vehicles—the first such national approval in the EU—to begin preparation activities including mapping, route validation, and operational readiness testing. Commercial autonomous ride-hailing services are planned to launch in Madrid by year-end, pending operational and regulatory requirements.

Partnership Structure:

The Madrid deployment represents the first joint autonomous vehicle service between Chinese technology company WeRide and Uber in Europe. WeRide will provide the autonomous driving technology, while Uber supplies the ride-hailing platform. AVOMO, the autonomous vehicle division of Spain's Moove Cars Group, will handle fleet operations.

Strategic Outlook:

Under their global partnership agreement, Uber and WeRide plan to deploy tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles across 15 cities by 2030. This Spanish approval follows Uber's recent London launch earlier in September, making it the company's second European robotaxi market.

Market Implications:

The permit represents a breakthrough for autonomous vehicle commercialization in Europe, where regulatory frameworks have traditionally been cautious. Spain's proactive stance could position it as a testing ground for autonomous technology within the EU, potentially accelerating wider adoption across the bloc. The partnership demonstrates continued Chinese-Western collaboration in autonomous vehicle technology despite broader geopolitical tensions, while highlighting Uber's strategy to expand its autonomous capabilities through partnerships rather than internal development.