Europe’s Autonomous Future: How Self-Driving Vehicles Could Reshape Cities

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are no longer science fiction, they’re rolling on streets from Asia to the United States. But Europe’s journey toward self-driving mobility has been a little slower, and for good reason. Regulatory hurdles are higher, investment capital is scarcer, and public transportation is already extensive and convenient.

At a recent autonomous-mobility conference outside Munich, executives from four German AV leaders, MOIA, Dromos, Telekom MobilitySolutions, and Apex.AI, shared their perspectives on how self-driving technology could transform European cities. Here’s what we learned.

MOIA Fahrzeug [MOIA +6 vehicle].” MOIA, “Our MOIA vehicle in the spotlight,” moia.io/blog/moia-vehicle-in-the-spotlight/, accessed 10 Sept. 2025.

AVs Tackling Public Transport Challenges

One of the biggest opportunities for autonomous vehicles is helping solve public transport issues. Olga Nevska, managing director at Telekom MobilitySolutions, highlighted a looming problem: Germany alone will face a shortage of 80,000 bus drivers by 2030. Autonomous vehicles could plug this gap, reducing reliance on human labor while keeping cities moving efficiently.

Antje Völker, COO of Dromos, adds another angle: public transport is costly, and traditional systems like metros or trams don’t run efficiently at all hours. Shared AVs, she says, can operate on-demand 24/7 at roughly half the cost of current public transport, offering cities and campuses a flexible, affordable alternative. Dromos plans to launch its first demonstrator in the UK by 2025, a symbolic 200 years after the first rail system.

When Will AVs Hit European Streets?

Predicting timelines in AV deployment is tricky. Jan Becker, CEO of Apex.AI, hopes that within ten years, European companies will be able to scale autonomous mobility alongside North American leaders like Waymo. But he cautions that investment levels in Europe lag behind the billions poured into U.S. AV ventures.

Sascha Meyer, CEO of MOIA, shares a grounded perspective: “It’s not just about driving, it’s about integrating the whole ecosystem.” Europe’s regulations are complex, with strict safety requirements for brakes, steering, and energy systems. Meyer expects fully autonomous vehicles in cities within five to seven years, though surprises are inevitable along the way.

From Car Ownership to Shared Mobility

Autonomous vehicles aren’t just about replacing drivers, they could reshape urban life itself. Martin Dürr, CTO at Dromos, explains: “Cities were built around cars. Now, shared autonomous mobility can give the city back to humans.” By offering private, on-demand rides at prices similar to public transport, AVs could convince more people to forgo personal car ownership.

Olga Nevska adds that AVs unlock new possibilities for how we use time in vehicles. Commutes become productive or leisurely moments rather than just transit. AI assistants could optimize routes, integrate multimodal options, and personalise mobility in real time. By 2035, she envisions autonomous mobility as intelligent, accessible, and seamlessly woven into everyday life.

“Dromos 5 [Image].” DesignWanted, February 2022, designwanted.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/dromos-5-scaled.jpg.webp. Accessed 10 Sept. 2025.

Putting People at the Center

Technology alone isn’t enough. Sascha Meyer emphasises that AV adoption depends on consumer trust and awareness. “People aren’t just dealing with machines, they have emotions,” he says. Designing systems for comfort, safety, and convenience is crucial, especially for individuals with mobility challenges such as wheelchairs, dementia, or other limitations.

Dromos’ approach combines technical innovation with human-centered design. Leadership teams include both technical and operational expertise, while psychologists and UX specialists help optimise how people interact with AV systems. The goal is inclusive, intuitive mobility for all.

The Role of AI and Talent

AI drives AV innovation, from perception systems to decision-making. Jan Becker notes that machine-learning approaches are growing but perfecting end-to-end AI remains challenging. Today, most AVs combine sensor data from cameras, lidar, and radar to understand their environment and safely navigate cities.

Sascha Meyer adds that scaling AVs also requires a new breed of talent: data engineers, algorithm developers, and AI specialists who can optimise fleet operations, build robust vehicles, and integrate cloud-based controls. As fleets shift to electric AVs, roles in software development, analytics, and customer experience become equally important. Diverse teams are essential to meet the mobility needs of a changing population across age, gender, and nationality.

The Big Picture

Europe’s autonomous future is being shaped today by innovative companies, rigorous regulations, and consumer-centered design. AVs have the potential to solve driver shortages, reduce costs, improve sustainability, and make urban life more flexible and enjoyable.

But the journey isn’t just about technology, it’s about people. From safety and convenience to accessibility and trust, the success of autonomous mobility will depend on how well cities, operators, and citizens adapt to this new way of moving.

In the coming decade, European streets could look very different: quieter, greener, and populated by fleets of self-driving vehicles quietly working in the background, transforming commuting from a chore into a choice and maybe even a pleasure.