Bolt and Lucid Target 25,000 Autonomous Vehicles
European mobility platform Bolt and US electric vehicle maker Lucid have announced a partnership to develop autonomous mobility services across Europe. The companies said Bolt aims to deploy at least 25,000 fully autonomous Lucid vehicles across multiple European cities.
The planned vehicles will use Lucid’s upcoming Midsize platform and NVIDIA’s Hyperion autonomous vehicle architecture. In addition, the companies will develop a vehicle platform designed for SAE Level 4 autonomous driving.
However, Bolt and Lucid have not announced a specific deployment schedule or investment amount. The companies also have not identified the first European cities for the planned fleet.
Lucid and Bolt Develop Level 4 Vehicle Platform
Under the partnership, Lucid will provide its software-defined vehicle platform and vehicle engineering expertise. Meanwhile, Bolt will contribute European mobility data, operating infrastructure, and experience across its transportation network.
The companies will develop the vehicle from the product stage with autonomous operation in mind. As a result, the platform will incorporate requirements for autonomous driving, safety, software, and rider experience.
Bolt’s dedicated Autonomous Driving Solutions unit will lead its side of the program. The unit will help define vehicle specifications and safety requirements. It will also work on fleet infrastructure, operating systems, and partnerships with cities.
Furthermore, Bolt intends to own and operate the autonomous fleet. The company currently provides shared mobility services in more than 850 cities across more than 50 countries.
The planned vehicles will use NVIDIA Hyperion for computing and sensing capabilities. However, Bolt and Lucid have not identified a provider for the final Level 4 autonomous driving software.
Level 4 automation allows vehicles to operate without human intervention within defined operating conditions and areas. As a result, regulatory approval and operating conditions will remain key factors for any commercial deployment.
Bolt Targets 100,000 Autonomous Vehicles
The 25,000-vehicle target forms part of Bolt’s broader autonomous mobility strategy. The company aims to have 100,000 autonomous vehicles on its platform by 2035.
Earlier this month, Bolt also announced an autonomous mobility testing program with Pony.ai and Stellantis in Luxembourg. That program will test Level 4 autonomous vehicles in local traffic conditions and examine their regulatory readiness.
In addition, Bolt has an existing partnership with Stellantis to explore Level 4 autonomous vehicles across Europe. The company announced the collaboration in June 2026, with trials planned from 2026.
The Lucid agreement therefore adds another vehicle manufacturer and technology platform to Bolt’s European autonomous driving strategy. At the same time, the company continues to work with different technology partners as it develops its operating model.
Lucid Expands Autonomous Vehicle Strategy
For Lucid, the Bolt partnership creates another potential route into autonomous mobility services. The company already has a separate agreement with Uber and autonomous driving company Nuro for the US market. That program covers at least 35,000 Lucid vehicles.
The European vehicles will come from Lucid’s upcoming Midsize platform. The company is developing the platform for its next-generation vehicles, while the autonomous version will incorporate requirements from Bolt’s mobility operation.
Moreover, Lucid recently established Lucid Technologies to bring its software and technology activities together. The division will lead the company’s work with Bolt on the autonomous vehicle program.
Manufacturing plans also extend beyond Europe. Reuters reported that Lucid expects to build the vehicles at its new Saudi Arabian facility, which is scheduled to begin operations early next year.
Nevertheless, the 25,000-vehicle figure remains a target, not a confirmed fleet order. TechCrunch reported that Bolt has not yet placed a vehicle order and that no money has changed hands under the partnership.
The companies will now work with autonomous driving technology partners, European regulators, and policymakers as they develop the platform. Regulatory approvals, vehicle development, testing, and city-level agreements will therefore determine how the planned European deployment progresses.
