Oslo: Moia develops autonomous electric shuttle service for Ruter

Moia’s growing demand in Norway is linked to a strategic realignment of the Volkswagen subsidiary. The company is shifting its focus to become a technology and systems provider for autonomous mobility solutions, rather than primarily operating pooled taxis itself, as it has done in Hamburg and, until recently, in Hanover, Germany. The core business of the VW subsidiary will now focus on offering public and private mobility providers “safe and turnkey integrated solutions for autonomous mobility services”. Two years ago, Volkswagen opened its electric ridepooling service to third parties through a licensing model for this purpose.

Ruter, Norway’s public transport operator, has now secured Moia’s services as such a third party. From spring 2026, the VW subsidiary will provide Oslo with self-driving models of the ID. Buzz AD, an integrated software ecosystem including an app solution and operator support services. Ruter describes the project as the “next phase of shared, on-demand autonomous transport in Oslo.” Additionally, the autonomous vehicle operator Holo will contribute its expertise from running self-driving mobility services across Scandinavia. Ruter aims to embed the project within its sustainable mobility strategy and ensure the insights gained inform Oslo’s future transport planning.

For context: since 2023, Ruter and Holo have been testing a self-driving public transport service in Oslo’s Groruddalen district. This pilot project is part of the EU-funded ULTIMO consortium, which brings together cities, transport operators, technology providers, and research institutions from across Europe to advance autonomous mobility solutions. The partnership with Moia is set to “usher in the next phase of development”.

The centrepiece of Moia’s system, the ID. Buzz AD, which has been ready for series production since this summer, highlights the close ties to Volkswagen. The version of the ID. Buzz, destined for Oslo, was specifically developed for shared mobility services and features a sensor system comprising cameras, lidar, and radar. Moia CEO Sascha Meyer is already familiar with the vehicle from deployments in Hamburg and Berlin. He considers it a privilege to collaborate with Ruter and Holo on this project: “Together, we are creating a blueprint for integrating autonomous mobility into public transport with a made-in-Europe solution built for Europe’s common good. Oslo, with its ambitious climate goals, progressive transport policies and varied climate, is an ideal environment for launching sustainable mobility solutions.”

“This is incredibly exciting for us and for the residents of the Groruddalen area,” comments Bernt Reitan Jenssen, CEO of Ruter. “The collaboration with MOIA allows us to utilize vehicles and technology specifically designed for shared journeys, rather than solutions adapted from private cars. This will elevate both the project and the customer experience to a new level, giving our passengers an even clearer vision of the future transport service we’re developing here.”

For Moia, the project marks a significant step beyond Germany’s borders. The collaboration in Norway builds on Moia’s ridepooling experience in Hamburg. As part of the ALIKE project, Moia is also working with Hamburger Hochbahn, Holon, and other partners to trial around 20 autonomous electric shuttle buses in the city.

Additionally, the ID. Buzz AD is now being deployed by BVG in Berlin. Moia also mentions “additional test activities in Munich, Austin, and Los Angeles.” The company is aiming for EU type approval for the self-driving ID. Buzz by 2027.

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This article was first published by Cora Werwitzke for electrive’s German edition.