Monitor this situation.

Unsubscribe anytime.

[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [BUSINESS]

2 clusters · 19 sources · 4 days · First seen 15 days ago · Last updated 12 days ago

Mate Rimac robotaxi project funding crisis

Overview

Mate Rimac’s company, Project 3 Mobility (Verne), has failed to meet the core requirements and deadlines for its robotaxi project, which was supported by 179.5 million euros in European Union funds through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO).

The project’s failure stems from the company’s inability to produce a proprietary level five autonomous vehicle, a key condition of the funding agreement. While robotaxis are currently operating in Zagreb, they rely on level four autonomy via partnerships with Uber and Pony.ai rather than the mandated level five technology. To date, the company has only officially justified 8.7 million euros of the 89.9 million euros disbursed.

Following the project’s official deadline on August 30, 2026, Verne announced it is prepared to return 89.7 million euros in advances if a final evaluation determines that contractual obligations were not fully met. Over a 30-day period, the company will submit a detailed report on activities, costs, and results for assessment. While authorities have verified the delivery of autonomous electric vehicle prototypes and the implementation of driving regulations, other objectives remain under evaluation, including the production of specialized vehicles, the operationalization of infrastructure, and the issuance of 50,000 free travel vouchers for persons with disabilities.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković maintained that the Croatian government fulfilled all necessary legislative and infrastructure prerequisites, arguing the failure was beyond state control. He emphasized that the project’s status should not jeopardize the broader NPOO, noting that Croatia has received 7.3 billion euros in funds to date.

Entities

European Union · Verne · Mate Rimac · Project 3 Mobility · Andrej Plenković

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 9 SOURCES] Verne is prepared to return 89.7 million euros in advances if an evaluation shows contractual obligations were not met. pogled.ba · financije.hr · www.dnevno.hr · lidermedia.hr · avto-magazin.metropolitan.si · +2 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The robotaxi project officially reached its deadline on August 30, 2026. pogled.ba · financije.hr · www.dnevno.hr · lidermedia.hr · avto-magazin.metropolitan.si · +2 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Project 3 Mobility (Verne) was approved for 179.5 million euros from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO). www.monitor.hr · vojvodjanskireporter.rs · avto-magazin.metropolitan.si
[● 3 SOURCES] Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated that the state fulfilled all necessary prerequisites, including infrastructure and legal changes. www.index.hr · vojvodjanskireporter.rs · avto-magazin.metropolitan.si
[● 2 SOURCES] Croatia has received 7.3 billion euros in funds from the NPOO to date. www.index.hr · pogled.ba
[○ 1 SOURCE] Of the funds disbursed, the company has only justified 8.7 million euros. www.monitor.hr
[○ 1 SOURCE] The key requirement to develop a proprietary level 5 autonomous vehicle was not fulfilled. www.monitor.hr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Verne changed its business model to a fleet operator using Chinese and Uber technology instead of developing its own vehicle. www.monitor.hr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Plenković expects that 404 out of 406 projects under the NPOO will be fully completed. www.index.hr

Timeline

12 days ago

[BUSINESS] 11 sources
Verne prepared to return 89.7 million euros following robotaxi project deadline
Verne, Mate Rimac’s company, is prepared to return 89.7 million euros in EU funds if an evaluation finds its robotaxi project failed to meet contractual obligations, including level 5 autonomy development.
15 days ago

[BUSINESS] 11 sources
Mate Rimac's robotaxi project faces failure over level five autonomy requirement
Mate Rimac’s Project 3 Mobility (Verne) may have to return millions in EU funds after failing to produce a level five autonomous robotaxi by the August 31 deadline.

Sources

24sata.hr · avto-magazin.metropolitan.si · dnevno.hr · europesays.com · financije.hr · glas-slavonije.hr · index.hr · lider.media · lider.mk · monitor.hr · off.net.mk · plusinfo.mk · pogled.ba · radiosarajevo.ba · teleskop.hr · tip.ba · vecernji.ba · vojvodjanskireporter.rs · zagorje.com

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history