Arval employees at its Paris headquarters have had the chance to experience an electric taxi, ahead of a formal trial.
The trial, which is expected to take place in March, will see the vehicle carrying up to 15 passengers from the nearest train station to the HQ building in Rueil-Malmaison.
It will be possible to book the vehicle using a smartphone.
This is believed to be the first time a private company in France has tested an autonomous electric vehicle and is part of an international research and development network, with other projects to be trialled in the Netherlands, Norway and France.
Arval’s chairman and CEO Alain Van Groenendael, who previewed the vehicle along with staff and stakeholders, said: “This is strategic innovation in action, with our colleagues helping us to test a safe, environmentally friendly transport solution which could be used by our customers and their employees in the future.”
Picture caption (from left): Alain Van Groenendael, Arval chairman and CEO, Patrick Ollier, Maire de Rueil-Malmaison, mayor of the city of Rueil-Malmaison, Ferréol Mayoly, Arval France general manager.