Self-driving vehicle selected for Merrifield shuttle

The EZ10 self-driving shuttle

Dominion Energy selected the French company, EasyMile, for the autonomous electric shuttle pilot project planned for the Merrifield area, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority announced.

EasyMile’s EZ10 self-driving vehicle will shuttle passengers between the Dunn Loring Metro station and the Mosaic District.

The EZ10 model has a track record of more than 200 deployments on public and private roads in more than 25 countries on four continents.

The Mosaic District shuttle will hold up to 12 passengers. It will have a full set of sensors for safety and a built-in, automated electric wheelchair access ramp.

A starting date for the shuttle hasn’t been determined but it is expected to begin operating some time in 2020. The route and stops haven’t been finalized yet, either.

Shuttle rides will be free, and riders won’t need tickets.

The county secured a $250,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for shuttle pilot, making it the first state-funded autonomous public transportation demonstration project in Virginia.

Fairfax County contributed $50,000 in matching funds, and Dominion Energy is providing the shuttle and related charging infrastructure.