- Renault is testing autonomous electric miniBuses across Europe to reduce emissions, ease congestion, and improve public transport efficiency.
- Successful trials in Barcelona, Valence, and Zurich prove the technology’s readiness, with a commercial launch planned in July 2025.
- Renault aims to introduce a robotised miniBus platform by 2030, offering a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable mobility solution.
Renault’s autonomous miniBuses become a real choice to make city centres cleaner and safer across Europe
Renault Group is backing autonomous public transport for decarbonised city centres. The company’s autonomous miniBuses have been trialled and proven to reduce emissions, ease congestion, and improve accessibility. Testing is occurring across Europe in partnership with WeRide.
The first major trial took place in May 2024 during the Roland-Garros tournament. Two autonomous miniBuses covered 1,000 km and transported 700 passengers. The results showed the technology is ready. Since then, interest has surged from cities and transport operators.
New trials are already underway. Two miniBuses are running a 2.2 km loop in Barcelona city centre from March 10 to 14. In Valence, France, Renault is testing a 3.3 km route connecting a TGV station to a business park, with a commercial service planned for July 2025. Zurich Airport are deploying the trial fleets for employee transport.
Renault Group has adopted a two-pronged approach to autonomous transport. For private cars, it focuses on driver-assistance systems. For public transport, Renault sees these fully autonomous (L4) miniBuses as the key to the future. With cities expanding low-emission zones, demand for clean, shared transport is growing fast. By 2030, Renault plans to launch a robotised electric miniBus platform to help cities hit their climate goals. Other companies are currently trialling various autonomous bus and taxi services, in what’s becoming an increasingly competitive new-tech market.
With each trial, Renault is proving that autonomous transport isn’t just a vision—it’s a valid sustainable solution for the future.
