Stellantis and Bolt Advance the Driverless Future

Stellantis, one of the world’s largest automakers with 14 global brands, and Bolt, the leading mobility platform in Europe, have announced a strategic partnership to develop and deploy Level 4 vehicles — cars capable of fully autonomous driving without human intervention. The first road trials are scheduled for 2026, with industrial-scale production expected to begin in 2029.

Next-Generation Platforms and the Path to Scale

The collaboration is built on Stellantis’ AV-Ready Platforms™, next-generation vehicle architectures designed specifically with autonomous driving in mind. These platforms allow the integration of driverless systems without rebuilding the vehicle’s structure, lowering the total cost of ownership and making autonomous fleets economically viable for mobility operators.

For Bolt, the partnership is a major step toward its long-term goal of having 100,000 autonomous vehicles on its platform by 2035. The company plans to use Stellantis’ driverless models across its shared-mobility services, offering fully autonomous rides in European cities. With operations in 23 EU countries and more than 600 cities worldwide, Bolt already has the infrastructure to support large-scale deployment.

Safety, Sustainability, and Europe’s Innovation Framework

Stellantis is strengthening its position in the autonomous systems market by expanding its ecosystem of partners in Europe. The company places strong emphasis on engineering safety, reliability, and cybersecurity, all in line with European regulatory requirements.

Early prototypes will undergo testing under the supervision of national and EU regulators, with a gradual transition from pilot programs to full-scale manufacturing. According to Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa, autonomous fleets can help reduce emissions and congestion, supporting more sustainable urban mobility. Bolt Founder and CEO Markus Villig emphasized that the partnership reflects Europe’s commitment to safe, responsible innovation and will make driverless travel a routine part of daily life within the next decade.

Looking Ahead

Real-world testing will begin in 2026, marking a pivotal step toward the adoption of autonomous mobility across Europe. Between 2029 and 2035, the market is expected to move into full industrial deployment. If certification and safety evaluations proceed successfully, Bolt could become one of the first large-scale robotaxi operators in the region, while Stellantis may emerge as a key supplier of platforms for Europe’s autonomous transport systems.