Abstract (max. 500 words)

The Joint Declaration of Intent on the Creation of a Cross-Border Testbed for the Deployment of Automated Vehicles (signed in Luxembourg on 8 June 2026) outlines a coordinated European initiative to accelerate the deployment of automated vehicles (AVs) through large-scale, cross-border collaboration among multiple EU Member States. The initiative aims to unlock the benefits of automated mobility—enhanced road safety, improved accessibility, sustainable transport solutions, and economic growth—while strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and technological sovereignty in the global AV sector.

Central to the declaration is the establishment of a shared testbed environment where participating countries align regulatory, technical, and operational practices. The signatories commit to harmonising approval procedures for automated vehicles based on existing EU and international regulatory frameworks, while promoting mutual recognition of vehicle approvals across borders. This approach is designed to enable continuous cross-border operations and accelerate market readiness through phased deployment, beginning with limited-scale implementations and expanding toward integrated mobility systems.

The declaration emphasises cooperation in the approval and oversight of automated driving systems, including shared interpretation of technical requirements, coordinated testing procedures, and joint safety monitoring through in-service data collection and reporting. While maintaining national authority over legal deployment decisions, participating states seek to establish compatible regulatory environments that facilitate seamless operation of AVs on public roads.

A system-level, use-case-oriented approach is adopted to guide implementation. Stakeholders—including public authorities, industry actors, and research organisations—are encouraged to develop diverse mobility and logistics applications that address real-world needs. Rather than focusing on specific technologies, the initiative remains flexible and innovation-driven, supporting use cases that contribute to safety, sustainability, and accessibility. The development of such use cases is linked to technological maturity, digital infrastructure readiness, and integrated mobility service design.

The declaration also defines roles and responsibilities across governance levels. National governments, regional authorities, and local entities collaborate to identify mobility needs and implement scalable solutions, while industry participation is actively encouraged to foster innovation and economic value creation within the EU. Strategic emphasis is placed on strengthening European industrial capacity, including preferences for EU-based technologies, data sovereignty, and secure supply chains, while still allowing participation from non-EU partners under conditions that reinforce European interests.

Governance mechanisms include coordinated workstreams, transparency with the European Commission, and structured collaboration among stakeholders. The declaration is non-binding but serves as a strategic framework for ongoing cooperation and policy alignment. Overall, it represents a significant step toward creating a unified European ecosystem for automated mobility, facilitating the transition from pilot testing to widespread deployment across national borders.