IVECO and PlusAI announced Southern Europe's first Level 4 autonomous trucking program on January 12, 2026. The partnership will deploy heavy-duty trucks with Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities across a 300-kilometer Spanish freight corridor.
The companies plan to develop two IVECO S-Way trucks equipped with PlusAI's SuperDrive virtual driver software. These vehicles will operate on freight routes between Madrid and Zaragoza, covering approximately 184 miles of commercial transport infrastructure.
Testing begins in 2026 with multi-year trials featuring safety operators onboard throughout the entire program. Spanish logistics operator Sesé will utilize the autonomous trucks for commercial freight operations, supported by the Government of Aragon.
"Vehicle automation is a key pillar of Iveco Group's technology strategy," said Marco Liccardo, Chief Technology & Digital Officer at Iveco Group. "We are thrilled to reinforce our strong partnership with PlusAI to further innovate our ADAS and ADS technologies."
The initiative marks the first Level 4 autonomous truck deployment in Southern Europe. Level 4 systems enable fully autonomous operation within defined operational domains without human intervention, though these initial deployments will maintain safety drivers.
"Autonomous trucks are a transformative technology that could dramatically improve road safety and reshape commercial freight transportation worldwide," said Shawn Kerrigan, COO and Co-Founder of PlusAI. "We're demonstrating how autonomous driving technology can improve the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of trucking, and strengthen the competitiveness of Europe's supply chains."
The program builds on years of joint research between IVECO and PlusAI, including previous Level 2+ and Level 4 testing initiatives. Both companies have conducted multiple pilot programs to develop safer and more efficient transport solutions.
PlusAI is preparing for its next growth phase as a publicly traded company through a previously announced business combination with Churchill Capital Corp IX. The autonomous driving software company has been expanding its European operations alongside established automotive partners.
Iveco Group employs 36,000 people worldwide across 19 industrial sites and 30 research centers. The company's commercial vehicle brands include IVECO trucks, FPT Industrial powertrains, IVECO BUS, and specialized defense equipment manufacturer IDV.
The Madrid-Zaragoza freight corridor represents a strategic testing ground for autonomous trucking technology in Europe. Successful implementation could accelerate adoption across the continent's commercial transport networks.
European logistics operators face increasing pressure to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. Autonomous trucking technology offers potential solutions through optimized routing, reduced fuel consumption, and improved safety metrics.
The Spanish deployment follows similar autonomous trucking initiatives in Germany and other European markets. Regulatory frameworks for autonomous commercial vehicles continue evolving across the European Union member states.
Industry analysts monitor autonomous trucking as a potential solution to driver shortages and rising transportation costs. Commercial fleet operators increasingly explore automation technologies to maintain competitive operations.
IVECO and PlusAI's partnership demonstrates continued momentum in commercial vehicle automation. The companies aim to establish operational benchmarks for Level 4 autonomous trucking in European logistics environments.
