Targeting gaps left by the Grand Paris Express, the Greater Paris pilot frames autonomy as a complement to public transport
Bolt, Stellantis and the Métropole du Grand Paris plan to test driverless services in as many as five north-western Greater Paris municipalities from 2028, aiming for around 30 by 2030. The project is a candidate for the Autonomous Drive Ambition Cities scheme run by the European Commission, with Pony.ai lined up as a possible supplier of the driving technology.
Each partner takes a separate layer. The metropolitan authority, covering Paris and 129 neighbouring municipalities, will coordinate locally and oversee the evaluation, Bolt will design and deploy the service, and Stellantis will supply vehicles on its level 4-ready platforms. Pony.ai’s system would run on Nvidia’s Hyperion architecture and Halos safety software.
Target uses include first- and last-mile trips, access to employment areas, major events and off-peak travel, gaps that persist despite new rail lines including the Grand Paris Express. The assessment will cover safety, service quality, rider acceptance, transit integration and running costs.
Separating city, operator, automaker and technology roles gives regulators a structured test before any wider rollout, with commercial service targeted for 2030 subject to approvals. Bolt Chief Executive Markus Villig said driverless vehicles are only worthwhile if they fix genuine transport problems, and Métropole President Patrick Ollier said the pilot must deliver tangible benefits for residents.
Source: Stellantis
