Spain's Autonomous Highway: IVECO and PlusAI Launch Level 4 Truck Trial

MADRID, Spain – January 12, 2026 – The highways of Spain are set to become a proving ground for the future of logistics as commercial vehicle giant IVECO and autonomous driving software leader PlusAI today announced a new programme to deploy Level 4 autonomous trucks in Southern Europe. In a landmark collaboration with Spanish logistics operator Sesé and the Government of Aragon, the project will see heavy-duty trucks operating with a high degree of autonomy on a critical freight corridor, marking a significant step toward the commercial reality of driverless transport.

This multi-year initiative, scheduled to begin in 2026, represents one of the most advanced public road trials of its kind in Europe. It aims to test and validate the capabilities of autonomous technology in real-world freight operations, potentially reshaping the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of the continent's supply chains. The partnership builds on previous joint testing between IVECO and PlusAI, signaling a deepening commitment to bringing next-generation transport solutions to market.

Charting a Course for Autonomous Freight

The core of the programme involves two IVECO S-Way heavy-duty trucks, which will be retrofitted with PlusAI's advanced autonomous driving system. These vehicles are slated to begin operations on a 300-kilometer (approximately 184-mile) stretch of highway connecting Madrid, Spain's bustling capital, with Zaragoza, a major logistics hub and the capital of the Aragon region. This route is a vital artery for Spanish commerce, making it an ideal environment to assess the technology's performance and economic viability.

For the entire duration of the trial, a professionally trained safety operator will remain in the driver's seat, responsible for monitoring the vehicle's performance and ready to intervene if necessary. This safety-first approach is standard practice in the development of autonomous systems, allowing for the collection of invaluable data in a controlled manner.

The involvement of Grupo Sesé, a global logistics provider with deep roots in Zaragoza, grounds the project in practical commercial needs. By integrating the autonomous trucks into its actual freight routes, Sesé will provide a real-world testbed to measure improvements in operational efficiency, fuel consumption, and delivery times. This collaboration ensures the technology is being developed not in a vacuum, but in direct response to the demands of the modern supply chain.

The Technology Behind the Wheel

At the heart of this initiative is the pursuit of SAE Level 4 automation. Unlike lower levels of driver assistance (like adaptive cruise control), a Level 4 system is designed to perform all driving tasks and monitor the environment without any need for human intervention within a specific, predefined area known as its Operational Design Domain (ODD). In this case, the ODD is the highway corridor between Madrid and Zaragoza under specific weather and traffic conditions. Crucially, a Level 4 vehicle is capable of bringing itself to a safe stop—a minimal risk condition—if it encounters a situation outside its operational parameters, without requiring the human operator to take back control.

Powering this capability is the PlusAI SuperDrive™ virtual driver. This AI-based software moves beyond traditional, hand-coded rules, instead leveraging sophisticated artificial intelligence models trained on over six million miles of real-world driving data from the U.S., Europe, and Asia. The system integrates advanced perception, prediction, and planning capabilities. It uses a suite of sensors, including cameras and radar, to build a 360-degree view of its surroundings and predict the behavior of other road users.

A key safety feature is PlusAI's Autonomous Fallback System (AFS), which has been validated in rigorous testing. The AFS is designed to respond safely to unexpected events, such as a sensor failure or a sudden road obstruction, by autonomously guiding the truck to a controlled stop or safely pulling it over to the shoulder. This layered approach to safety and redundancy is critical for building the trust required for eventual commercial deployment.

Europe's Evolving Regulatory and Competitive Landscape

The IVECO and PlusAI trial arrives at a pivotal moment for autonomous transport in Europe. The European Commission has been establishing a legal framework for fully automated vehicles, creating the world's first international rules for Level 4 systems. While these regulations pave the way for driverless operations, initial deployments are expected to be limited to individually approved routes, making hub-to-hub highway corridors like Madrid-Zaragoza the primary focus for the industry.

This project positions Spain as a key player in this emerging field, but the competitive landscape is heating up across the continent and globally. Daimler Truck, through its subsidiary Torc Robotics, is aggressively pursuing Level 4 commercialization in the U.S. by 2027. Similarly, Aurora plans to launch driverless routes in Texas. These efforts underscore a global race to solve the complex technical and regulatory challenges of autonomous trucking.

However, the path is not without its obstacles. The recent winding down of U.S. operations by TuSimple, once a prominent leader in the space, serves as a cautionary tale about the immense financial and technical hurdles involved. Success requires not only cutting-edge technology but also strong OEM partnerships, a clear regulatory path, and a sustainable business model. In this context, PlusAI's planned public listing via a merger with Churchill Capital Corp IX, expected to provide up to $300 million in funding, is a critical step toward securing its long-term roadmap.

The Promise of Safer, More Efficient Supply Chains

For the project's backers, the potential rewards justify the significant investment. Proponents argue that autonomous trucking promises a trifecta of benefits: enhanced safety, greater efficiency, and improved sustainability. With human error being a factor in the vast majority of traffic accidents, highly advanced autonomous systems have the potential to make roads significantly safer.

Marco Liccardo, Chief Technology & Digital Officer at Iveco Group, emphasized the project's strategic importance. “Vehicle automation is a key pillar of Iveco Group’s technology strategy,” he commented. “This project will take us forward on our journey to offer customers the highest quality technology for increasingly sustainable transport.”

Efficiency gains are another major driver. An autonomous system can operate nearly 24/7, stopping only for fuel, loading, and maintenance, which dramatically increases asset utilization. Furthermore, algorithms can optimize acceleration, braking, and cruising speeds to minimize fuel consumption, reducing both costs and carbon emissions. These efficiencies could help alleviate pressures from persistent driver shortages and rising operational expenses in the logistics sector.

“Autonomous trucks are a transformative technology that could dramatically improve road safety and reshape commercial freight transportation around the world,” said Shawn Kerrigan, COO and Co-Founder of PlusAI. “Together with Sesé, 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.”

As the two IVECO S-Way trucks prepare to roll out onto the Spanish highway, the entire logistics industry will be watching closely. The data and insights gathered over the coming years will be instrumental in determining how quickly and effectively this transformative technology can move from a supervised trial to a fully integrated and essential component of global trade.