Lucid and Bolt to deploy 25,000 robotaxis in Europe

Electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid and ridesharing company Bolt have announced a partnership to deploy at least 25,000 robotaxis across Europe. The initiative is part of a broader goal by Bolt to integrate 100,000 autonomous vehicles into its platform by 2035. While the partnership has been confirmed, the companies have not yet announced a specific timeline for when these vehicles will enter service.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bolt will own and operate the fleet, collaborating with Lucid to develop the vehicles. The robotaxis will be built on Lucid’s midsize platform, which the automaker is utilizing to produce more affordable vehicle options. The design is intended to support Level 4 automation, allowing the vehicles to operate autonomously within specific, predefined geographical boundaries.

Technical development for the project is expected to incorporate NVIDIA’s Hyperion autonomous vehicle architecture. Earlier this year, Lucid provided a preview of a two-seater robotaxi prototype based on its midsize platform. This platform is also the foundation for Lucid’s upcoming Cosmos SUV, the release of which was recently delayed until early 2027.

The collaboration with Bolt marks a significant expansion of Lucid’s efforts in the autonomous vehicle sector. The company is simultaneously pursuing similar partnerships in the United States, including an agreement with Uber to deploy 35,000 robotaxis, which will include both midsize vehicles and models based on the Gravity SUV.

Additionally, Lucid has engaged in testing efforts with Nuro, which has begun operating a Gravity-based robotaxi in Houston and San Francisco. These tests are currently conducted with a safety driver present in the vehicle. The move into the European market follows a period of operational restructuring for Lucid, which included a reduction of its workforce by approximately 18 percent earlier this year.