Last mentioned: Mar 25, 2026
Projected Peak
Used EV supply expected to double as 2024-2025 leases expire.
Commercial Target
Nissan's target date for the full commercial launch of autonomous services in Japan.
Consumer Launch
Target date for integrating Wayve's autonomy layer into mass-market consumer vehicles.
Trial Commencement
Expected start of initial testing phases in designated Tokyo districts with safety drivers.
Tokyo Trial Announced
Uber, Nissan, and Wayve announce a joint robotaxi pilot program in Tokyo.
Tokyo Partnership Announced
Uber, Nissan, and Wayve officially unveil their robotaxi trial plans for Tokyo.
UK AV Act
The Automated Vehicles Act enters force, providing the legal framework for AV deployment in Britain.
London Robotaxis
Wayve and Uber begin commercial trials of driverless taxi services in the UK capital.
Automotive Integration
Target date for Wayve's software to be deployed in mass-market consumer vehicles.
Mega-Round Funding
Wayve raises $1.5 billion, valuing the company at $8.6 billion with backing from Uber and Nvidia.
London Trials
Planned launch of commercial robotaxi trials in London in partnership with Uber.
Supply Surge Begins
First major wave of 500,000 off-lease EVs hits the used market.
Lease Peak
EV lease rates hit a record 67% of all new EV transactions.
Wayve Series C Funding
Wayve announces a $1.2B funding round led by SoftBank to scale its Embodied AI.
Wayve Series C
Wayve raises $1.05 billion in funding led by SoftBank to scale its AI technology.
Regulatory Milestone
The UK Automated Vehicles Act enters force, providing a legal framework for driverless cars.
IRA Enacted
Inflation Reduction Act passes, creating the $7,500 lease loophole for EVs.
Leasing Boom
Automakers aggressively push EV leases to capitalize on federal credits.
Uber Shifts Strategy
Uber sells its self-driving unit ATG to Aurora, pivoting to a partnership-based AV model.
Uber Pivots Strategy
Uber sells its ATG self-driving unit to Aurora, shifting from developer to platform provider.
A massive wave of electric vehicles is hitting the used market in 2026 as three-year leases from the 2022-2023 period expire, driven by previous federal tax incentives. With nearly 500,000 units expected to return this year, used EVs are becoming the most cost-effective alternative to record-high new car prices and rising fuel costs.
Uber is partnering with Nissan and UK-based AI startup Wayve to launch a robotaxi pilot program in Tokyo. This collaboration marks a significant expansion of autonomous ride-hailing in Japan, leveraging Wayve's 'embodied AI' and Nissan's vehicle platforms.
Uber is partnering with Nissan and UK-based AI firm Wayve to launch a robotaxi trial in Tokyo, marking a significant expansion of autonomous ride-hailing in Japan. The collaboration leverages Nissan's vehicle platforms and Wayve's 'embodied AI' technology to navigate one of the world's most complex urban environments.
Uber is partnering with Nissan and UK-based AI firm Wayve to launch a robotaxi pilot in Tokyo, combining platform scale with 'embodied AI' technology. The trial aims to address Japan's driver shortage and navigate the city's complex urban environment without traditional HD mapping.
British AI startup Wayve has secured $1.5 billion in new funding from a coalition of tech and automotive leaders, valuing the company at $8.6 billion. The capital will accelerate the commercial deployment of its mapless autonomous driving technology, starting with London-based robotaxi trials alongside Uber.
British AI startup Wayve has reached a valuation of $8.6 billion following a massive $1.5 billion funding round led by tech and automotive giants. The capital will fuel the launch of commercial robotaxi trials in London this year and the integration of autonomous software into consumer vehicles by 2027.
British AI startup Wayve has secured $1.5 billion in new funding, propelling its valuation to $8.6 billion with backing from industry titans like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Uber. The capital infusion will accelerate the launch of London's first commercial robotaxi trials and the integration of Wayve's sensor-led autonomous software into consumer vehicles by 2027.