Vulog targets 2027 autonomous mobility pilot in France

Vulog plans to use its profitable Leo&Go shared mobility service in Lyon as the base for an autonomous vehicle pilot in France, with a launch targeted for the second half of 2027. The move highlights how fleet operations, customer service and public-private coordination may be as important as the vehicle technology itself.

Why it matters: - Vulog is trying to show that autonomous mobility needs an operating business, not just self-driving hardware and software. - The planned pilot could help define how autonomous vehicles fit into profitable shared fleets. - The effort may also create a template for mobility operators in other markets.

What happened: - Vulog said it is preparing Leo&Go, its shared mobility service in Lyon, to support an autonomous vehicle pilot in France. - The company is targeting a launch in the second half of 2027. - Leo&Go marks five years since launch in September 2021. - The service now has 75,000 registered members and a fleet of 400 vehicles. - Leo&Go offers carsharing, rental and subscription services.

The details: - Vulog said Leo&Go gives the company an established operating environment where autonomous vehicles could run inside a live mobility service alongside human-driven vehicles. - Gregory Ducongé, Vulog’s CEO, said autonomous vehicles will not create a mobility service on their own. - Ducongé said reliable autonomous fleets will require technology, fleet deployment, maintenance, customer operations, pricing, demand generation and cooperation with public authorities. - Vulog is developing the pilot scope and reviewing potential technology and operating partners. - The company wants to introduce purpose-built autonomous vehicles gradually into an existing shared mobility service. - Operating Leo&Go has given Vulog experience across the shared mobility value chain. - That experience helped Vulog build a profitable operating model. - Ducongé said carsharing operators already manage many of the issues autonomous fleets will face, including continuous street operations, supply-demand balancing, field operations and real-time customer service. - Leo&Go first reached monthly EBIT break-even within 21 months of launch, according to Vulog. - Vulog says its platform supports carsharing, digital rental, subscription and corporate mobility services for mobility operators, automakers, rental companies and other fleet owners. - Vulog also operates mobility services directly, combining software expertise with fleet management, customer operations and mobility economics.

Between the lines: - The strategy suggests Vulog sees autonomy as an extension of shared mobility operations, not a standalone product. - By anchoring the pilot in Leo&Go, Vulog is betting that a proven commercial service can reduce some of the execution risk that has slowed autonomous mobility deployments. - The focus on partnerships and public authorities signals that regulation and local operating conditions remain central to commercialization.

What's next: - Vulog is assessing the technology and operational partnerships needed for the pilot. - The company expects the pilot to clarify the processes required to integrate autonomous vehicles into shared fleets. - Vulog intends to use the lessons from the French pilot to help other mobility operators introduce autonomous services in additional markets. - Leo&Go will enter its sixth year as Vulog prepares for fleets that combine human-driven and autonomous vehicles in one service.