Keolis has started testing autonomous electric vehicles in the city of Gothenburg on behalf of local public transport authority, Västtrafik.

The service, which is integrated in the public transport network­, will serve industrial and residential sites for a four to five month period.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The latest trial showcases Keolis’ work in operating autonomous electric vehicles, which it first rolled out in 2016 in Lyon, France and then deployed in Europe, the UK, North America and Australia.

Two autonomous electric shuttles made by Navya will operate during office hours from Monday to Friday. They will travel on a fixed 1.8km route serving the Lindholmen Industrial and Science park, a 4km² former shipyard, which now features offices, residential and university buildings, as well as car parks.

Bus passengers can use the service to connect with existing bus lines and track shuttle schedules in their travel app or on the city website. As the legislation requires, a safety operator will be present in the vehicle at all times.

See Also:

The shuttles have a maximum speed of 20km/h and can carry up to eight passengers.  Charging takes five hours and vehicles can run for up to seven hours on one charge, depending on weather conditions.

Designed to operate in conditions including sub-zero temperatures and snow, this new autonomous electric shuttle service is the city’s most advanced to date and is integrated into Sweden’s public transport network. It is also part of Next Generation Travel and Transport, a government-funded initiative that includes S3 (Shared Shuttle Services) a shuttle trial programme backed by a coalition including RISE, Västtrafik and Keolis.  

Keolis began testing autonomous electric shuttles in 2016 in Lyon, France. Since then, it has introduced services in more French cities including Paris, Rennes and Lille, as well as in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, Monaco, Belgium and Sweden. To date, Keolis-operated autonomous vehicles have carried more than 200,000 passengers some 100,000 km.

The company is currently trialling three autonomous vehicle brands on a closed 80 hectare test site in Châteauroux, France to fine-tune full vehicle autonomy with no operators on board. In 2020, the company teamed with partners in Sweden to put Stockholm’s first autonomous electric vehicle through its paces, using 5G technology for remote control and supervision.

Keolis also partnered with Volvo in 2019 to develop and demonstrate a 12 metre long electric bus, which was parked, washed and recharged autonomously at the Keolis depot in Gothenburg.