On 18 January 2021, Keolis began testing autonomous electric vehicles in the city of Gothenburg on behalf of local public transport authority Västtrafik.
This service, which is integrated in the public transport network, will serve industrial and residential sites for a 4.5-month period.
This latest trial showcases Keolis’ leadership in operating autonomous electric vehicles, which it first rolled out in 2016 in Lyon, France, and then deployed in Europe, the UK, North America and Australia.
Two autonomous electric shuttles made by Navya will operate during office hours from Monday to Friday. They will travel on a fixed 1.8 km route serving the Lindholmen Industrial and Science park - a 4 km² former shipyard that now features offices, residential and university buildings and parking lots.
Bus passengers can use the service to connect with existing bus lines and track shuttle schedules in their travel app or on the city website. As the legislation requires, a safety operator will be present in the vehicle at all times.
The shuttles have a maximum speed of 20 km/h and can carry up to 8 passengers[1]. Charging takes five hours, and the vehicles can run for up to seven hours on one charge, depending on weather conditions.
Designed to operate in conditions including sub-zero temperatures and snow, this new autonomous electric shuttle service is the city’s most advanced to date and is integrated into Sweden’s public transport network. It is also part of Next Generation Travel and Transport, a government-funded initiative that includes S3 (Shared Shuttle Services) a shuttle trial programme backed by a coalition including RISE, Västtrafik and Keolis.
[1] Normally seats up to 11 passengers, but limited to 8 for physical distancing due to Covid-19 restrictions
