Europe’s autonomous driving race is accelerating, and a new partnership could bring driverless rides to Danish streets sooner than expected.
Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide has announced its entry into the Danish market through a partnership with electric mobility operator GreenMobility, expanding its European presence to six countries.
Europe is becoming a key growth market for Chinese autonomous driving companies, following earlier deployments in the Gulf region and efforts to commercialize the technology outside their home market amid heightened regulatory scrutiny and growing competition.
Subject to regulatory approval, the partnership is expected to launch a public robotaxi service in the first half of 2027, the company said in a statement.
The move follows WeRide’s deployments in Spain and Slovakia earlier this year, adding to its existing autonomous driving projects in France, Belgium, and Switzerland. The company’s European operations are currently focused primarily on testing and pilot programs, while commercial autonomous driving services are already operating in China and the United Arab Emirates.
Chinese autonomous driving developers are increasingly turning their attention to Europe, seeking an early presence on the continent as regulators open the door to testing and deploying autonomous vehicles.
In March, rival Pony.ai announced a partnership with Uber Technologies and Croatian startup Verne to launch Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service.
Baidu’s Apollo Go unit and Lyft’s Freenow app began road testing in London in late July, while Momenta recently received permits to conduct autonomous vehicle tests on urban roads in Germany.
This active expansion highlights the growing competition among Chinese autonomous driving developers for a foothold in Europe, where regulators are gradually creating conditions for testing and deploying self-driving cars.
Prospects for the European market
WeRide’s expected entry into the Danish market through its partnership with GreenMobility could accelerate the arrival of robotaxis in Denmark and expand the use of autonomous services in the region. Earlier launches in France, Belgium, and Switzerland demonstrate European cities’ interest in pilot programs and testing.