Lyft has announced a new partnership with BENTELER Mobility that will see autonomous shuttle buses introduced to the rideshare platform from 2026, starting in the United States.
The collaboration is intended to expand the availability of autonomous vehicle (AV) options across Lyft’s network, which currently serves over 44 million riders annually.
Under the agreement, BENTELER Mobility will supply purpose-built AVs developed by HOLON GmbH, a subsidiary focused on autonomous transport solutions. These urban shuttles will be integrated into the Lyft platform and are expected to begin service in late 2026, with early deployments targeting city centres and airports.
The autonomous shuttles will incorporate Mobileye’s self-driving technology. The vehicles will be fully bookable through its existing platform and will be designed for shared urban mobility.
The partnership builds on Lyft’s broader ambitions to create a hybrid network where human drivers and autonomous systems operate side by side.
Tobias Liebelt, CEO of BENTELER Mobility said:We are delighted to be teaming up with Lyft. Lyft's innovative and ambitious culture matches our own. Lyft brings excellent expertise in ride-hailing, deep market penetration, and a strong commitment to making autonomous mobility a reality. Together, we combine their technology excellence and user-first approach with our automotive-grade AV platforms, operational excellence, and scalable fleet capabilities. This partnership will allow us to turn ambition into deployment — bringing safety-focused, efficient, and accessible mobility to the streets faster than ever before — let's make it happen.
To support deployment, Lyft will also work with BENTELER Trading International on fleet financing and ownership. Tens of millions of dollars are earmarked to support the growth of an autonomous fleet over the coming years. The partners anticipate scaling the service to thousands of vehicles, depending on demand and regulatory developments.
Lyft states that initial testing on its platform will begin next year, with close coordination with city authorities and local communities.
