Autonomous car manufacturers like Zoox or Waymo have, for the most part, been perfecting their technology in environments like San Francisco, Phoenix and Seattle – cities known for broad avenues, sprawling suburbs, and a distinct lack of comprehensive public transport. From a purely technological standpoint, it’s understandable: America offers controlled-access highways, relatively predictable road layouts, and plenty of space for trial and error. Yet this approach overlooks the fact that Europe’s transport ecosystems are quite different, and it’s a difference that could undermine the success of self-driving cars if ignored.
Look at any major European city – Berlin, Copenhagen, Barcelona, you name it – and you’ll see a plethora of transport options: trams, buses, underground trains, cycle-sharing schemes. It’s normal to hop off a train, grab a shared bicycle for the final stretch, or walk through pedestrian-friendly streets. This environment doesn’t necessarily scream out for fleets of autonomous taxis. If you can already get to your destination conveniently using existing options, adding driverless cars into the mix may not provide the game-changing benefits manufacturers are hoping for. It might even just add to congestion problems, which would make them extremely unpopular.
Moreover, many European governments actively encourage citizens to reduce car usage, whether through congestion charges, low-emission zones or simple civic pride in a green lifestyle. The upshot is that, while city dwellers might be intrigued by driverless technology, they won’t necessarily view it as essential. They’ve already got efficient ways to get around, and environmental regulations remain a significant factor in determining how vehicles are deployed and taxed.
Take a short train or bus ride outside the bustling European capitals, though, and you’ll find a different story. Suburban and rural regions often struggle with infrequent public transport, making life challenging for people who don’t have access to a car. With most European countries setting the driving age at 18, parents can spend years chauffeuring their teenagers. It’s precisely in these scattered communities that autonomous vehicles could transform mobility. Instead of waiting for a bus that comes twice a day – or never – families, jobseekers, older adults and students could rely on a well-organised network of driverless shuttles or shared vehicles.
Denmark, often viewed as a global leader in green policies and urban planning, exemplifies this dichotomy. In the city centres, you’ll find excellent public transport combined with some of the best cycling infrastructure in the world; elsewhere, public transport and bike paths are far less comprehensive. Denmark also has strict regulations for ride-hailing services – Uber has left entirely – and conventional taxis cost a fortune. Add high taxes on car ownership, and personal vehicles quickly become a luxury. The result is a mobility gap, crying out for an inventive approach. Autonomous vehicles might fill that gap – if developers can adapt their technology to European roads and regulations, rather than trying to shoehorn in an American business model.
For instance, if manufacturers wish to see these principles in action, they might consider Nordfyn council, located on Funen just north of Odense, Denmark’s third-largest city. Nordfyn is neither wholly rural nor fully urban; it’s a blend of farmland, small towns and residential clusters. There’s room for dedicated test tracks, and Odense boasts a thriving robotics industry eager for collaboration. While Nordfyn doesn’t have the glitz and glamour of Copenhagen, it’s precisely these “ordinary” regions that stand to benefit the most from cutting-edge transport solutions.
Ultimately, autonomous car makers need to face Europe’s reality: a continent with a longstanding commitment to high-quality public transport, environmental considerations, and varied regional needs. A “one-size-fits-all” strategy conceived in American cities will likely run aground on Europe’s cobblestones, trams and cycle paths. By addressing the actual mobility gaps – particularly outside the big cities – manufacturers can ensure that driverless technology becomes a genuine asset, rather than a novelty. They’ll also be preparing themselves for a regulatory environment that emphasises sustainability and safety over speed of deployment.
In other words, Europe isn’t the same as the United States. If autonomous vehicle companies continue to assume that success in San Francisco automatically translates to success in Stuttgart or Svendborg, they risk missing the point entirely. The real European challenge lies beyond the well-serviced city centres, where a dependable, affordable driverless service has the potential to change daily life. That’s why it’s time for the automotive pioneers to look beyond the typical urban test bed – and discover what Europe truly needs from the driverless revolution.