https://j.people.com.cn/n3/2026/0911/c95952-20498577.html

WeRide, a Chinese autonomous driving technology company, announced that it had obtained Spain’s first permit to operate Level 4 (L4) autonomous passenger vehicles, authorizing the deployment of its cars on public roads. This marks the first time Spain has granted national-level approval for the operation of L4 robotaxis (autonomous taxis).

As one of Europe’s major mobility markets, Spain welcomes nearly 100 million tourists annually. The capital, Madrid, boasts strong demand for commuting and a mature ride-hailing ecosystem, providing a favorable commercial foundation for the introduction of autonomous mobility services.

Following the completion of preparatory work and compliance with relevant operational and regulatory requirements, WeRide plans to launch commercial robotaxi services for the general public in 2026 in partnership with local collaborators. Users in Madrid will be able to summon WeRide’s robotaxis with a single tap via the relevant platform. As key operational milestones are achieved, the company aims to continuously expand its service area, eventually extending fully driverless commercial robotaxi operations across major districts in central Madrid.

Under the terms of the permit, an initial trial phase will begin. In this first stage, dozens of robotaxis equipped with WeRide’s latest-generation autonomous driving technology will be deployed for trial operations, covering several key areas in Madrid with high mobility demand. Each vehicle will be staffed by a safety operator. According to Li Xuan, CFO and Head of International Business at WeRide, the company plans to collaborate with partners to launch Spain’s first commercial autonomous taxi service and open it to the general public by the end of 2026.