Uber shares rebound as WeRide collaborates to help Spain's first L4 autonomous driving license appr

Uber shares rise as Spain approves L4 autonomous driving operations

WeRide cooperates with Uber to expand its autonomous driving network

Madrid license supports broader European expansion

Uber shares rise 0.53% after Spain approved its first L4 vehicle license.

WeRide, Uber and AVOMO plan to deploy 20 self-driving cars within the city limits of Madrid.

Spain plans to commercialize autonomous driving online ride-hailing services by the end of 2026.

Madrid will become Uber and WeRide's first planned autonomous vehicle market in Europe.

Spain's license strengthens WeRide's path for broader autonomous driving expansion in Europe.

Uber (UBER) shares rose in pre-market trading as Spain approved a major autonomous driving milestone involving WeRide and AVOMO. UBER shares rose 0.53% to $71.48, recovering modestly from declines in the previous session. The license advances plans to launch Spain's first commercial autonomous passenger service in Madri.

Spain approves L4 operations, pushing Uber's share price higher

Spain's Directorate General of Traffic awarded the country's first national-level L4 autonomous driving passenger car license. The approval covers three companies under the Spanish DGT ES-AV framework: WeRide, Uber and AVOMO. The permit allows the three companies to start preparing self-driving vehicles for public road operations.

Partners will begin mapping, route verification and operational readiness testing in high-demand areas in the Greater Madrid region. They plan to deploy 20 vehicles using WeRide's latest autonomous driving technology. During the initial deployment phase, each vehicle will be supervised by an in-vehicle vehicle expert.

Partners expect commercial operations to begin before the end of 2026 after regulatory requirements are completed. Madrid will become the first market in Europe for the planned Uber and WeRide autonomous driving services. The project also marks the first planned deployment of autonomous vehicles by Uber and WeRide in Europe.

WeRide collaborates to expand Uber's autonomous driving network

The Madrid project extends the partnership between Uber and WeRide to a fourth city covered by its global agreement. The partnership targets 15 cities, with an additional 11 locations planned to be included by 2030. The two companies plan to deploy tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles on public roads around the world.

WeRide will provide its autonomous driving technology, and Uber will connect these vehicles to its mobility platform. AVOMO will be responsible for fleet operations and support deployment activities in the Madrid region. This structure combines autonomous driving technology, online ride-hailing access and professional fleet management.

This also allows the partnership to enter one of Europe's largest urban mobility markets. Madrid supports a large number of commuting activities and already has a mature online ride-hailing network. These conditions provide an established market for the company to develop commercial autonomous passenger services.

Madrid permits support for broader European expansion

This license gives WeRide its first national approval for a GXR self-driving car in the European Union. WeRide currently holds nine autonomous driving licenses in multiple markets around the world. Spain's authorization may also provide regulatory reference for future European certification efforts.

Spain operates its autonomous driving mobility project through the national DGT ES-AV regulatory framework. The system provides a structured process for testing autonomous vehicles on public roads. Uber and WeRide can now prepare their operations in Madrid under the country's regulatory process.

This development strengthens Uber's autonomous driving mobility expansion beyond its traditional driver-led online ride-hailing business. Autonomous driving fleets may eventually increase vehicle availability and support larger mobility networks in major cities. For now, the Spanish license is a concrete regulatory step towards Uber's first European autonomous driving service.