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Bolt CEO urges EU to prioritize self-driving tech to compete with U.S. and China

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Europe must invest far more aggressively in autonomous vehicle technology if it wants to remain competitive against the United States and China, according to Markus Villig, CEO of Estonian ride-hailing and food delivery company Bolt.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Villig said the European Union’s heavy focus on electric vehicles (EVs) risks sidelining what he called the “core technology of the next decade” — self-driving systems.

“There’s so much attention on EVs, but we’ve lost the plot on autonomous driving,” Villig said, warning that the technology gap between Europe and its global rivals is widening fast.

U.S. firms like Alphabet’s Waymo and Tesla, as well as Chinese players such as Baidu, WeRide, and Pony.ai, are leading the autonomous driving race. Waymo is preparing to launch autonomous ride-hailing services in London next year, highlighting Europe’s reliance on foreign technologies.

Villig said that the EU should treat autonomous mobility as a strategic technology, not just an industrial one, with implications for security and digital sovereignty. While the bloc is spending tens of billions of euros on EV subsidies and supply chains, he argued that comparable funding for self-driving development is virtually absent.

He proposed that the EU support domestic startups through subsidies and exclusive operating licences for robotaxis in certain cities, to help local firms gain scale before foreign competitors dominate the market.

Villig was scheduled to meet EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen later on Friday to discuss Europe’s role in the next generation of transport innovation.

Waymo to launch driverless ride-hailing service in London in 2026

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Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Waymo, announced plans to launch its fully driverless ride-hailing service in London next year, marking its first major expansion into Europe. The company, which has been gradually scaling operations in the United States, aims to bring its robotaxi technology to one of the world’s most densely regulated urban environments.

Waymo said it will partner with vehicle financing firm Moove to manage fleet operations, facilities, and charging infrastructure in London. The company is also working closely with local and national authorities to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals ahead of the launch. According to a spokesperson, vehicles are already en route to London, where they will initially be tested with safety drivers before transitioning to full autonomy in 2026.

In the U.S., Waymo currently provides over 250,000 paid trips weekly across cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Austin, with a fleet of roughly 1,500 vehicles. The company has also been expanding internationally, collecting data in Tokyo earlier this year in collaboration with Japanese partners Nihon Kotsu and Go.

The move comes amid intensifying competition in the autonomous transport sector, as Tesla prepares to debut its long-promised robotaxi service and Uber plans to trial fully driverless rides in the UK in partnership with AI startup Wayve. Despite regulatory challenges and technical setbacks in the U.S., Waymo’s London project signals renewed momentum for commercializing self-driving technology.

Waymo Launches Corporate Robotaxi Accounts to Target Business Travel

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Alphabet-owned Waymo announced on Wednesday the launch of “Waymo for Business,” a corporate program that allows companies to set up accounts for employees to use its robotaxi service across Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, Austin, and Atlanta.

The initiative is aimed at tapping into recurring corporate travel demand, giving employers tools to control when, where, and how staff use autonomous rides. It marks another step in Waymo’s efforts to expand the commercial use of its driverless fleet.

Waymo said it now completes more than 1 million rides per month, with nearly one in six riders in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix using the service for commuting. The company has recently expanded operations, launching paid driverless rides in Atlanta and broadening coverage in Austin.

Through an administrative portal, organizations can manage employee access, issue promo codes, and generate reports to track ride usage and expenses. Early adopters include Carvana, the Phoenix-based online used-car retailer.

The business service is still in its early stages, but Waymo said more features will be added over time to support companies of various sizes.

A key focus for Waymo is airport access, a priority for frequent business travelers. The company already serves Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, recently gained approval to operate at San José Mineta International Airport, and holds a testing permit at San Francisco International Airport ahead of possible commercial service.