Autonomous driving, robotaxis, driverless shuttles: France unveils a plan for 2028
Autonomous vehicles could soon become part of everyday life for French people. During the Autonomous Vehicle Summit held on October 23, 2026, the government unveiled several measures to accelerate their deployment. These include new rules starting in 2027, driverless shuttles, and several robotaxi projects set to launch by 2028. Here’s what is being prepared.
While robotaxis are expanding on a large scale in American and Chinese cities, France is only just beginning to prepare for their arrival. The topic isn’t new, but things seem to be accelerating. On October 23, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot brought together 250 industry representatives at the Autonomous Vehicle Summit. The goal is to turn the experiments conducted over the past few years into actual services available to the public.
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First autonomous vehicles expected as early as 2028
France has been working on this issue since 2018. Over 200 experiments have already been conducted across the country, but few have resulted in commercial services. This time, the government aims to reach a new stage.
Another interesting announcement: Bolt and Stellantis aim to deploy autonomous mobility services in the Greater Paris area. The two companies are working with the Métropole du Grand Paris on a pilot program, with launch also planned for 2028. In the long term, the project could cover around thirty municipalities by 2030. This is still in the experimental stage, not yet a commercial service.
In Clichy, in Hauts-de-Seine, another initiative is underway. The city has partnered with G7 and Milla to develop a service for electric autonomous vehicles. The goal is to facilitate short-distance travel, especially between residential areas, train stations, and subway stations. This system could also meet the needs of the elderly. Expansion to neighboring municipalities is being considered.
France aims to simplify rules by 2027
To turn these plans into reality, an appropriate regulatory framework is needed. This is precisely one of the key initiatives announced by the government.
A new doctrine for approving autonomous vehicles will be introduced in early 2027. Developed under the responsibility of the National Vehicle Acceptance Center (CNRV), it is intended to help manufacturers better understand the requirements for putting their vehicles on the road. The approach relies on gradual validation of systems and ongoing monitoring of their safety throughout use.
France also wishes to align its rules with those of its European neighbors. A initiative supported by 22 signatories, including Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands, aims particularly to simplify approvals and facilitate the deployment of autonomous vehicles beyond national borders. The government wants to prioritize collective uses above all. Driverless shuttles could complement existing networks in rural and suburban areas.
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According to a Harris Interactive study from October 2026 cited by the ministry, nearly two-thirds of French people say they are ready to use fully automated public transportation. That’s encouraging!
Delivery robots on sidewalks soon?
Passenger transport is not the only sector affected. The government also aims to accelerate the development of autonomous vehicles for goods delivery. Since August 7, 2026, autonomous delivery vehicles and robots have been allowed to operate on French roads. These machines could particularly handle the “last mile” delivery between logistics centers and recipients.
A new step is now being considered. The Ministry of Transport wishes to work with the Ministry of the Interior and local authorities to examine the conditions under which small autonomous robots could move on sidewalks and pedestrian areas. Nothing has been finalized yet regarding this matter. Their coexistence with pedestrians, especially those with mobility impairments, will need to be studied.
A Major Industrial Challenge for France
Behind these announcements lies an industrial ambition as well. The government aims to develop a French and European ecosystem capable of mastering the technologies required for autonomous driving. This applies not only to vehicles but also to software, artificial intelligence, and the data collected. In this context, Stellantis, the British AI specialist Wayve, and the American giant NVIDIA have announced a new partnership.
The goal is to combine their expertise to accelerate the development of autonomous vehicles in Europe. The automaker will contribute its platforms designed for level 4 autonomous driving, while its partners will provide the necessary artificial intelligence and computing technologies.
Data protection is not forgotten
The government also emphasizes data protection and digital sovereignty. It aims to promote European industrial partnerships and keep the data of European users on the continent. Funding can be secured through programs such as France 2030.
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The next step is to turn these ambitions into truly operational services. There are still many challenges between a technological demonstration and a vehicle capable of actually transporting passengers without a driver. The year 2028 could mark a turning point for autonomous mobility in France, provided that the announced projects overcome the necessary regulatory and technical hurdles.