The CEO of Bolt Markus Villig has called on European policymakers to boost investment and focus on autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies. He believes that if swift action is not taken, Europe risks falling behind the United States and China in the global mobility race. Speaking at a recent industry event, Villig emphasized that while Europe has made significant progress in electric vehicle (EV) adoption and charging infrastructure, it has not been able to match the pace in developing self-driving and AI-powered transport systems.
According to Villig, the next wave of automotive innovation will be defined by automation and intelligent mobility, not just electrification. He’s adamant that greater policy support, research funding, and cross-border regulatory harmonization are essential to foster a thriving AV ecosystem in Europe.
Industry analysts note that stronger focus on self-driving technologies could accelerate the rollout of robotaxis, autonomous delivery services, and fleet automation. In turn, this will help reduce congestion and emissions while improving transport efficiency. Villig’s ideas align with growing calls from tech and automotive leaders urging the EU to integrate AI-driven mobility into its broader Green Deal and digital transformation agenda.
Source: Reuters
