Self-driving electric vehicles hit the streets in Oslo as part of an ambitious Europe-wide initiative to push sustainable autonomous transport
Ambitious EU-funded trials of self-driving vehicles integrated into public transport networks are underway, promising to reshape urban landscapes across Europe. These initiatives aim to deliver city centres that are not only more affordable and environmentally friendly but also safer, more efficient, inclusive, and fairer for all residents.
Pioneering pilot for driverless vehicles in Norway
In north-eastern Oslo, Norway, a groundbreaking experiment is taking shape.
This February saw five autonomous electric cars began transporting passengers, marking a significant step forward in the EU-backed ULTIMO initiative. This Norwegian launch is the first of three planned trials, with the ultimate goal of establishing the world’s first large-scale, on-demand public transport service powered by self-driving vehicles.
This ambitious project aligns with the EU’s broader policy objectives of greening and digitalising the transport sector. The EU is channelling substantial investment – €500 million through a public-private partnership focused on cooperative, connected, and automated mobility (CCAM) – into realising this vision. The aim is to create citisen-centric, safe, eco-friendly, and accessible public transport options while simultaneously fostering new opportunities for European industries.
On-demand mobility takes centre stage
Following the Oslo launch, two more trial services will commence later this year in Herford, northwest Germany, and the Greater Champagne district in Geneva, Switzerland. The ULTIMO consortium comprises a range of stakeholders from seven EU countries, plus Norway and Switzerland, including transport technology firms, transport authorities, manufacturers like Siemens, universities, and consultancies such as Capgemini.
This collaborative effort, scheduled to run until September 2026, is focused on developing an economically sustainable model for “demand-responsive” automated vehicles for both passenger and urban goods transport. Unlike traditional public transport with fixed routes, these autonomous vehicles will have the flexibility to adjust their routes based on real-time passenger requests.
“We are talking about integrating shared autonomous vehicles as part of public transport,” explains Christian Willoch, executive adviser for radical innovation at Ruter, Oslo’s public transport authority. The system relies on sophisticated technology, including 3D maps, radar, cameras, and connected infrastructure, to enable the vehicles to navigate autonomously within designated areas like Groruddalen.
A crucial aspect of these new systems is their reliance on electric vehicles, which promises a significant reduction in the environmental impact of urban transport. Road transport is currently estimated to contribute nearly a quarter of global energy-related CO2 emissions, according to UN data, making this shift towards electric and autonomous fleets a vital step towards sustainability.
Towards seamless urban networks: Self-driving technology
The integration of automated transport into public transport systems is gaining momentum globally, and the EU is at the forefront of CCAM research through initiatives like ULTIMO.
These efforts are paving the way for on-demand public transport services and the eventual integration of various public and private mobility options into unified digital platforms, ultimately better serving the needs of city and regional residents.
Following an initial phase focused on user experience, ULTIMO has launched its public-facing app in Oslo. This allows passengers to book and share a fleet of luxury electric SUVs, the Nio ES8, retrofitted with self-driving technology. While the initial fleet focuses on this model, researchers intend to incorporate other, particularly European-made, vehicles as the service matures. Currently, the service is free for users as researchers gather crucial data on pricing strategies.
While initial user feedback has been positive, Willoch acknowledges that the planned fleet of 10 to 15 vehicles by the project’s end will need substantial scaling to function as a viable public service. “We believe that to have an impact in our area and get people to reconsider using their private car, we may need around 500 vehicles,” he states, adding that increased scale should also drive down costs. “Our calculations show that with scale, we will achieve a price per passenger kilometre that’s lower than for private cars.”
Overcoming challenges for self-driving vehicles
Andreas Fehr, a consultant on autonomous driving at DB Regio Bus, the regional bus arm of Deutsche Bahn, coordinates much of the work among the ULTIMO partners. He believes that effectively deploying on-demand autonomous vehicle systems in the long term will be a “game-changer” for public transport. However, he recognises that several challenges remain.
Currently, the trial vehicles still have a human safety operator on board. While this enhances safety through faster reaction times and consistent driving, the long-term goal is to operate without a safety operator. This will necessitate further advancements in autonomous vehicle technology, including more sophisticated sensors and the ability to handle unforeseen events.
Comprehensive remote monitoring technology, combining human oversight and AI software, will also be crucial. Furthermore, automated in-vehicle services will be required to ensure passenger safety in the absence of a driver.
Another key challenge is the development of standardised autonomous vehicle systems for public transport. This standardisation would facilitate the seamless coordination of different services and their integration with existing public transport options. “We’re having detailed conversations with the different manufacturers to understand the basic information we can build on to create mapping and API standards,” explains Fehr.
A core objective of the ULTIMO project is to enhance mobility for individuals with limited access to traditional public transport. “It’s a big opportunity to provide increased mobility for people who need it,” says Fehr, expressing hope that the project’s models will lead to sustainable changes in urban and suburban mobility and improve transport access in rural and less populated areas.
“It will hopefully motivate more people not to use or buy their own car, but to use shared-mobility on-demand public transport,” he concludes. “That’s the type of sustainable transformation we need as a global society.”
