The Investor
10 Sep 2026, 16:24
Uber and WeRide Secure Spain’s First National Permit for Level 4 Autonomous Vehicles
Uber, WeRide and AVOMO have received Spain’s first national operating permit for Level 4 autonomous passenger vehicles, clearing the way for testing and deployment preparations in the Madrid region. The approval represents an important step toward launching Spain’s first commercial autonomous ride-hailing service.
The permit allows the companies to begin mapping, route validation and operational-readiness testing. An initial fleet of 20 WeRide autonomous vehicles will operate across high-demand areas of Greater Madrid under the supervision of in-car vehicle specialists.
Commercial operations are expected to begin by the end of 2026, subject to additional operational and regulatory milestones. The service will combine WeRide’s autonomous-driving technology, Uber’s mobility platform and AVOMO’s fleet-management capabilities.
Madrid will become the fourth of 15 cities included in the Uber-WeRide strategic partnership, which plans to deploy tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles globally. The Spanish approval is also the first national authorization for WeRide’s GXR autonomous vehicle in the European Union, potentially providing a pathway toward broader European commercialization.
Uber, WeRide and AVOMO have received Spain’s first national operating permit for Level 4 autonomous passenger vehicles, clearing the way for testing and deployment preparations in the Madrid region. The approval represents an important step toward launching Spain’s first commercial autonomous ride-hailing service.
The permit allows the companies to begin mapping, route validation and operational-readiness testing. An initial fleet of 20 WeRide autonomous vehicles will operate across high-demand areas of Greater Madrid under the supervision of in-car vehicle specialists.
Commercial operations are expected to begin by the end of 2026, subject to additional operational and regulatory milestones. The service will combine WeRide’s autonomous-driving technology, Uber’s mobility platform and AVOMO’s fleet-management capabilities.
Madrid will become the fourth of 15 cities included in the Uber-WeRide strategic partnership, which plans to deploy tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles globally. The Spanish approval is also the first national authorization for WeRide’s GXR autonomous vehicle in the European Union, potentially providing a pathway toward broader European commercialization.
