Pony.ai launches Europe's first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb
Pony AI Inc. (NASDAQ: PONY) began commercial robotaxi operations in Zagreb, Croatia, marking what the company describes as Europe's first commercial robotaxi service.
The service allows public users to book and pay for rides through the Verne app, with Uber app integration planned. Operations run daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. across approximately 90 square kilometers in Zagreb's city center area, including Zagreb Airport.
The launch follows a partnership announcement between Pony.ai, Verne and Uber made two weeks prior. Under the joint-deployment model, Pony.ai provides its robotaxi platform and operational expertise while Verne handles local operations and regulatory compliance.
"This launch marks an important milestone for Pony.ai as we continue to expand our commercial robotaxi operations globally," said Dr. James Peng, founder and CEO of Pony.ai.
Marko Pejković, co-founder and CEO of Verne, stated: "For the first time in Europe, there is a real commercial robotaxi service. People can use it and take real autonomous rides."
The company plans to expand coverage across Zagreb and aims to reach 3,000 vehicles in its fleet by year-end. Pony.ai reported achieving unit economics breakeven milestones in two Chinese tier-one cities with its Gen-7 technology.
Founded in 2016, Pony.ai operates across China, Europe, East Asia, the Middle East and other regions. The Zagreb launch represents the company's expansion into European markets as part of its dual-engine growth strategy.
