WeRide Robobus Receives Belgium's First Level 4 Permit, Leading AV Industry with Products Licensed in Seven Countries

Rhea-AI Summary

WeRide (NASDAQ:WRD), a leading autonomous driving technology company, has secured Belgium's first Level 4 autonomous shuttle test permit for its Robobus. This milestone makes WeRide the only company globally with autonomous driving permits across seven countries: Belgium, China, France, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the US.

The permit allows WeRide to test its Robobus on an 8km Leuven-Heverlee route with nine stops, partnering with De Lijn, City of Leuven, and Espaces-Mobilités. Following the initial testing phase with a safety officer, a pilot commercial service will run from mid-November through January 2026, marking Belgium's first commercial AV deployment in mixed traffic.

Insights

Autonomous Vehicle Technology Analyst

WeRide's Belgium L4 permit strengthens its global leadership position in autonomous vehicle commercialization across key markets.

WeRide has secured Belgium's first federal test permit for a Level 4 autonomous shuttle, establishing itself as the only company globally with autonomous driving permits across seven countries: Belgium, China, France, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the US. This regulatory milestone significantly expands WeRide's operational footprint in Europe.

The permit allows WeRide's Robobus to operate on an 8km Leuven-Heverlee route with nine stops, partnering with local transit operator De Lijn. This follows a stringent safety analysis by federal transport authorities. The deployment will progress through distinct phases:

• Initial testing with safety officers onboard
• A commercial pilot from mid-November through January 2026
• Expected transition to regular service thereafter

What makes this particularly notable is the planned commercial deployment in mixed traffic conditions - a complex operating environment that tests advanced autonomous capabilities. The rapid timeline from delivery to testing (one week) demonstrates WeRide's operational efficiency in deploying its technology.

This Belgium achievement builds on WeRide's recent European expansion, including Robotaxi operations in Switzerland and securing France's Level-4 permit earlier this year. These regulatory approvals represent critical validation gates for autonomous vehicle companies, as each jurisdiction applies different safety standards and operational requirements.

WeRide's systematic accumulation of permits across diverse regulatory environments indicates both technological robustness and commercial execution capability - essential factors for scaling autonomous mobility solutions beyond limited pilot projects toward mainstream transportation alternatives.

ANTWERP, Belgium, Sept. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, today announced that its Robobus has received Belgium's first federal test permit for a Level 4 autonomous shuttle. With this approval, WeRide becomes the only technology company in the world with products holding autonomous driving permits in seven countries: Belgium, China, France, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the US.

The permit, signed this week by Minister of Mobility, Climate and Ecological Transition Jean-Luc Crucke at the Autonomous Mobility Summit, allows WeRide's Robobus to undergo testing on public roads along the 8km Leuven–Heverlee loop with nine stops. The service will be run in partnership with Flemish public transport operator De Lijn, the City of Leuven, and mobility consultancy Espaces-Mobilités.

WeRide Robobus in Leuven, Belgium

The test permit was issued following a detailed route safety analysis by the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport. Pending approval from the Flemish authorities, the Robobus will begin public road testing in the coming weeks, with a safety officer onboard during the initial phase.

Once testing is complete, De Lijn will operate a pilot autonomous shuttle service along the same 8km route from mid-November through January 2026. This will mark Belgium’s first commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in mixed traffic, with passengers boarding via digital ticket, SMS, or subscription. The shuttles are then expected to enter regular service.

“As an AV company, our goal is always to achieve safe Level 4 fully driverless operations. This test permit is an important step on that journey, allowing us to demonstrate our technology in real-world conditions on public roads while setting a strong precedent for future autonomous vehicle testing across Europe. We thank the Belgian authorities for trusting our technology and supporting safer, smarter, and more sustainable transportation,” said Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International of WeRide.

This follows WeRide’s announcement last week that the Robobus had arrived in Leuven and entered field preparations, showcasing "WeRide speed" from delivery to public-road testing in just one week. The company is also rapidly expanding across Europe: last month, it launched its first Robotaxis in Furttal, Switzerland, under the "iamo" (Intelligent Automated Mobility) pilot with Swiss Transit Lab, SBB, and the cantons of Zurich and Aargau. In March this year, WeRide's Robobus obtained France's Level-4 driverless public road testing and operating permit, in partnership with French autonomous mobility network operator beti.

About WeRide
WeRide is a global leader and a first mover in the autonomous driving industry, as well as the first publicly traded Robotaxi company. Our autonomous vehicles have been tested or operated in over 30 cities across 11 countries. We are also the first and only technology company whose products have received autonomous driving permits in seven markets: China, Belgium, France, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the US. Empowered by the smart, versatile, cost-effective, and highly adaptable WeRide One platform, WeRide provides autonomous driving products and services from L2 to L4, addressing transportation needs in the mobility, logistics, and sanitation industries. WeRide was named in Fortune Magazine’s 2024 “The Future 50” list.

Media Contact
pr@weride.ai

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about WeRide’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in WeRide’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this Report is as of the date of this Report. WeRide does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be2b1808-7638-4303-962c-31ba87421760

FAQ

What milestone did WeRide (WRD) achieve in Belgium?

WeRide received Belgium's first federal test permit for a Level 4 autonomous shuttle, allowing its Robobus to operate on public roads along an 8km route in Leuven-Heverlee.

In which countries does WeRide have autonomous driving permits?

WeRide holds autonomous driving permits in seven countries: Belgium, China, France, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the US.

When will WeRide's commercial pilot service begin in Belgium?

The commercial pilot service is scheduled to run from mid-November 2025 through January 2026, marking Belgium's first commercial AV deployment in mixed traffic.

Who are WeRide's partners for the Belgium autonomous shuttle project?

WeRide is partnering with De Lijn (Flemish public transport operator), the City of Leuven, and Espaces-Mobilités for the autonomous shuttle project.

What is the route coverage of WeRide's Robobus in Belgium?

The Robobus will operate on an 8-kilometer Leuven-Heverlee loop with nine stops, with passengers able to board using digital tickets, SMS, or subscriptions.