Croatian auto-pioneer and entrepreneur Mate Rimac, known for his luxury supercars, is embarking on a new adventure that channels the spirit of Jules Verne. His latest mission is to revolutionize mobility as a service (MaaS) by launching fleets of stylish, fully autonomous, electric ride-hailing cars. These vehicles will offer the seating space, ambiance, and cargo capacity of a Rolls-Royce or limo within the footprint of a subcompact SUV, all while being competitively priced against existing ride-hailing services. The name for this ambitious project: Verne.

The Verne Robotaxi

Scheduled to debut in 2026, Verne’s autonomous robotaxi is set to transform urban transportation. Named in honor of the French novelist Jules Verne, who famously used travel as a central theme in his stories, this new robotaxi is a compact yet luxurious two-seater. Equipped with Level 4 autonomous driving technology from Mobileye, the Verne robotaxi will not have a steering wheel, emphasizing its fully autonomous capabilities.

Evolution from Project 3 Mobility to Verne

Launched in 2019, this ambitious initiative was initially called Project 3 Mobility. Co-founded by Mate Rimac and Marko Pejković, the project has garnered substantial funding from a Saudi sovereign wealth fund subsidiary, Kia, and the European Commission. Unlike other autonomous vehicles, such as those from Waymo, Cruise, or Motional, which often feature numerous unsightly sensors, the Verne’s sensors are seamlessly integrated into its design. Adriano Mudri, who also designed the Rimac Nevera, has ensured that the Verne remains both elegant and technologically advanced.

A Revolutionary Vision

Verne’s objective extends beyond merely producing another autonomous vehicle. It seeks to revolutionize the ride-hailing industry by merging luxury, practicality, and state-of-the-art technology. Mate Rimac envisions a future where hailing a ride is an experience of comfort and sophistication, underpinned by sustainability and efficiency.

Launch Preparations

Before Verne services commence in any city—starting with Zagreb, Croatia, followed by 11 cities in the UK, Germany, and the Middle East—a “Mothership” facility will be established. This hub will be responsible for the daily inspection, maintenance, cleaning, and charging of each mobility pod. Initially, charging will be done at 100 kW via CCS plugs, with plans to introduce more efficient charging methods in the future

Merging Luxury and Technology

Drawing on Rimac’s expertise in luxury vehicles, the interior of the Verne robotaxi features a massive 43-inch display and a premium 17-speaker sound system for smartphone connectivity. Passengers can control their ride experience through a mobile app, managing everything from temperature to ambient lighting. Despite its luxurious features, Verne’s service is promised to be “affordable for all,” according to Mate Rimac.

Expanding Across Europe

If everything goes according to plan, Verne will launch in Zagreb and rapidly expand across Europe. The company has secured commitments with 11 cities in Europe, the UK, and the Middle East, with ongoing negotiations in over 30 additional cities globally. This expansion is supported by a €200 million financing round from the European Union, part of the EU’s post-COVID stimulus aid to Croatia.

Conclusion

Mate Rimac’s foray into autonomous vehicles with the Verne brand is set to revolutionize urban transportation. By combining luxury, practicality, and advanced technology, Verne aims to offer an unparalleled ride-hailing experience that is both stylish and sustainable. With innovative design and substantial financial backing, Verne is poised to become a key player in the autonomous vehicle market, ushering in a new era of mobility across cities worldwide.

Another notable company in the Croatian car industry is DOK-ING, which specializes in the design and manufacture of specialized vehicles, such as firefighting trucks and mine-clearing vehicles. The company has also produced a small electric city car called the DOK-ING XD, which is designed for use in urban environments.

While the Croatian car industry may be small, these companies are helping to put Croatia on the map when it comes to innovation and technology in the automotive sector. With a focus on electric and specialized vehicles, the future looks promising for the Croatian car industry as it continues to develop and grow.