Lucid and Bolt plan an electric robotaxi service for Europe
Lucid and Bolt aim to jointly develop autonomous mobility services in Europe. To achieve this, Bolt plans to deploy at least 25,000 autonomous electric vehicles based on Lucid’s upcoming midsize platform in several European cities and countries.
Autonomous vehicle from Lucid and Bolt for planned deployment in Europe.
Image: Lucid Motors
The two companies have formed a strategic partnership for this purpose, starting with the development of vehicles. Specifically, a vehicle designed for SAE Level 4 autonomous driving is set to be created based on Lucid’s next-generation platform. At Level 4, the system can fully take over driving tasks within a defined operational area.
Nvidia Hyperion is planned as the software foundation for this project. The reference architecture combines the computing systems required for autonomous driving with a standardized sensor platform. Lucid and Bolt also intend to bring in additional technology partners. However, it remains unclear which companies will be involved and when the first vehicles are expected to enter service in Europe.
The at least 25,000 Lucid vehicles mentioned are part of Bolt’s larger initiative. By 2035, the mobility provider aims to operate a total of 100,000 autonomous vehicles on its platform. Bolt plans to own and operate the vehicles resulting from this partnership with Lucid.
At Bolt, the project is overseen by the Bolt Autonomous Driving Solutions unit. The company intends to help develop requirements for vehicles, software, safety, and passenger experience, and then build the necessary fleet infrastructure and operating systems. Bolt will also be responsible for coordinating with the respective cities.
The mobility provider can leverage its existing presence in this endeavor. According to Bolt, it operates in over 850 cities across more than 50 countries, offering not only ride-hailing services but also e-scooters, e-bikes, and carsharing. Data and insights from this mobility business are intended to inform the development and subsequent operation of the autonomous fleet.
Bolt plans to operate its own autonomous Lucid fleet
Lucid consolidates its efforts for this collaboration under the newly established unit, Lucid Technologies. There, the U.S.-based manufacturer brings together its expertise in artificial intelligence, driver assistance, autonomous driving, and other digital vehicle technologies. This unit is intended to further develop its own solutions and accelerate their commercialization. For Lucid, the partnership with Bolt is not its first foray into autonomous mobility services. The company is already working with Uber and specialist Nuro on a robotaxi service. With Bolt, the technology is now set to be deployed on a larger scale in Europe as well.
The announcement comes at a time when Lucid is undergoing extensive restructuring. Under new CEO Silvio Napoli, the company is cutting about 18 percent of its U.S. workforce and streamlining its management structure. In May, Lucid also suspended its production targets for 2026 after supply chain issues disrupted deliveries of its electric SUV, the Gravity. In July, the company dismissed reports of a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing or withdrawal from the stock market as “completely false,” emphasizing its liquidity position.
The vehicles intended for Bolt are expected to be based on Lucid’s upcoming midsize platform. The partners have not yet provided specific technical details or a timeline for mass production in their announcement. It is undisputed, however, that Lucid plans to continue building all-electric cars using this platform. The manufacturer stated in spring that it aims to develop a completely new electric powertrain (“Atlas”) for the midsize platform.
It remains unclear, however, in which European cities and countries the autonomous fleet will be deployed first. UNECE established a regulatory framework for such vehicles in July with a new set of rules for Automated Driving Systems. These rules define requirements for safety management, system validation, and monitoring during operation.
This does not, however, imply automatic approval for driverless vehicles on public roads. Instead, the UNECE regulations provide a common framework upon which individual countries can issue appropriate permits. Therefore, Lucid and Bolt announce that they will work with European regulatory authorities, political decision-makers, and cities to prepare for commercial operation.