The company Mate Rimca first announced the return of millions
A company associated with Mate Rimac, named Verne, has announced it is prepared to return 89.7 million euros in grants withdrawn from the National Plan for Recovery and Resistance (NPOO), if the evaluation of the project's achievements shows that agreed obligations were not fully fulfilled. The project, which developed autonomous electric taxi services, was completed by August 30, 2026. The company stated that it will submit a report within a month detailing all activities, costs, and results, allowing relevant authorities to conduct a final assessment. They noted that all verification prototypes of fully autonomous and electric vehicles were successfully delivered, tested, and regulations for autonomous driving were established. The current evaluation focuses on remaining project goals, including issuing 50,000 free vouchers for disabled individuals, producing customized autonomous electric vehicles, and establishing specialized infrastructure. The company emphasized transparency, stating it will return funds if evaluations show incomplete fulfillment of obligations. Over 140 million euros have been collected from private investors, while SAFU highlighted that the final evaluation
A Croatian company linked to entrepreneur Mate Rimac has announced its readiness to return nearly 90 million euros in advance funding drawn from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO) if an evaluation of the project's outcomes shows that contractual obligations were not fully met. The company, Verne, which is developing a self-driving taxi service known as robotaxi, made this statement following the completion of the project on August 30, 2026. According to the company’s announcement, it will submit a detailed report within a month outlining all activities carried out, associated costs, and final results achieved during the project period. Regulatory bodies will then conduct a final assessment of the project's success based on this report. The company highlighted that regulatory authorities have already verified the successful delivery of all verification prototypes of fully autonomous and electric vehicles, conducted appropriate testing, and enacted regulations regarding autonomous driving. Current evaluations focus on remaining objectives, including the issuance of 50,000 free vouchers for travel using fully autonomous vehicles for individuals with disabilities, the production of fully autonomous electric vehicles tailored to the needs of passengers with disabilities, and the establishment and operational readiness of specialized infrastructure. According to the company, once the relevant authorities complete their evaluation process, the public will be transparently informed about the outcome. If the evaluation indicates that contractual obligations were not fully fulfilled, the company is prepared to return all funds. So far, 89.7 million euros in advance funding has been drawn from the NPOO project, while more than 140 million euros have been raised from private investors. The Central Agency for Funding and Contracting of Programs and Projects of the European Union (SAFU) emphasized that the final evaluation of the achievement of the project's goals can only be made after the completion of implementation and review of documentation. The company, part of the Rimac Group, must submit a final request for reimbursement of funds within 30 days of the end of the project period, during which time it may also justify the remaining portion of the advanced payment. Implementation of the project lasted until August 30, 2026, meaning the final evaluation of the achievement of the project's goals can only be made after the completion of implementation and review of the entire final documentation. The user is required to submit the final request for reimbursement of funds within 30 days of the end of the implementation period, according to SAFU. According to SAFU, the final evaluation of the achievement of the project's goals can only be made after the completion of implementation and review of documentation. The company, part of the Rimac Group, must submit a final request for reimbursement of funds within 30 days of the end of the project period, during which time it may also justify the remaining portion of the advanced payment. Implementation of the project lasted until August 30, 2026, meaning the final evaluation of the achievement of the project's goals can only be made after the completion of implementation and review of the entire final documentation. The user is required to submit the final request for reimbursement of funds within 30 days of the end of the implementation period, according to SAFU. The production and testing of 60 verification prototypes and testing of autonomous driving systems was one of the indicators under the eighth tranche of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO). The user submitted documentary evidence for all 60 prototypes, including official confirmations of inspections issued by the Croatian Vehicle Center, according to SAFU. Additionally, a contract was signed with the City of Zagreb and a provider of public transport services regarding the issuance of 50,000 free vouchers for rides using fully autonomous vehicles for individuals with disabilities and/or individuals who face difficulties using other forms of public transport. These are all phases successfully completed and contribute to the overall goal of the project, according to SAFU. In the case of termination of the contract, SAFU notes that the user would be required to return the received funds, although depending on circumstances, instead of termination, financial correction could be applied. The exact amount of potential repayment at this stage cannot be determined as it depends on the final factual situation and the extent of fulfilled obligations. If a portion of the advanced payment is not justified by acceptable expenses, that amount cannot remain with the user, and the contractual mechanisms of financial correction and repayment apply, according to SAFU. They clarified that the contract allows for the possibility of returning already received funds if non-fulfillment of contractual obligations is established. However, repayment is not automatically equal to the total amount paid, but is determined after the completion of the project, depending on the scope of achieved results and the acceptability of incurred costs. SAFU reminded that the user received an advance payment of 89.7 million euros in July 2023, and according to the administrative checks conducted so far, acceptable expenses amounted to a total of 17.1 million euros, of which 8.77 million euros relates to non-repayable funds justifying the corresponding portion of the advance payment. The remaining portion of the advance payment can be justified up to the final request for reimbursement of funds. The portion not justified by acceptable expenses is subject to repayment, and any additional financial corrections will be decided after the final evaluation of the project's achievements, concluded SAFU. As of the time of writing, Rimac had not responded to Hinin's inquiry for comment on the current phase of the robotaxi project. The project titled "Research, Development, and Production of New Mobility Vehicles and Associated Infrastructure" includes the production of level five autonomous electric vehicles, with co-financing from the NPOO amounting to 179 million euros. Previously, media reports earlier this year indicated that Verne had renounced a larger portion of European co-financing and would continue financing the project through private means, though the company, government, and relevant authorities have not confirmed this information.
The company Verne, associated with Mate Rimac, has announced its willingness to return 89.7 million euros in advance funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan if an evaluation of the project's outcomes shows that agreed-upon obligations were not fully met. The autonomous vehicle project, which concluded on August 30, 2026, is now undergoing a final assessment by relevant authorities. So far, all verification prototypes have been successfully delivered, tests conducted, and regulations on autonomous driving implemented. Remaining goals include issuing 50,000 free vouchers for travel using fully autonomous vehicles for people with disabilities, producing such vehicles tailored to their needs, and establishing specialized infrastructure. The European Union’s Central Agency for Funding and Contracting of Programs and Projects (SAFU) noted that the final evaluation of the project's achievements will occur after reviewing all documentation, with Verne required to submit a final request for reimbursement within 30 days of the project's completion.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a company's financial commitment and project evaluation process without overtly favoring any side. It includes balanced quotes from the company and mentions regulatory processes without apparent ideological framing.
Why factuality (85): The article confirms the company’s readiness to return €89.7 million if evaluations show non-compliance, and it outlines the timeline for reporting and evaluation. It includes specific figures and aligns with the information from SAFU and other sources. The data presented is consistent across multip
Why objectivity (80): The tone is informative and neutral, focusing on the company’s actions and the evaluation process. It avoids subjective language and presents the situation based on available information without bias. The article maintains a balanced perspective throughout.
A company associated with Mate Rimac, named Verne, has announced it is prepared to return 89.7 million euros in grants withdrawn from the National Plan for Recovery and Resistance (NPOO), if the evaluation of the project's achievements shows that agreed obligations were not fully fulfilled. The project, which developed autonomous electric taxi services, was completed by August 30, 2026. The company stated that it will submit a report within a month detailing all activities, costs, and results, allowing relevant authorities to conduct a final assessment. They noted that all verification prototypes of fully autonomous and electric vehicles were successfully delivered, tested, and regulations for autonomous driving were established. The current evaluation focuses on remaining project goals, including issuing 50,000 free vouchers for disabled individuals, producing customized autonomous electric vehicles, and establishing specialized infrastructure. The company emphasized transparency, stating it will return funds if evaluations show incomplete fulfillment of obligations. Over 140 million euros have been collected from private investors, while SAFU highlighted that the final evaluation
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information regarding a company's financial responsibility and compliance with grant conditions under a national recovery program. It does not take a clear ideological stance, nor does it emphasize particular political agendas. The tone remains objective, focusing on the
Why factuality (85): The article reports on a company's potential return of €89.7 million from a national recovery and resilience plan based on an evaluation of project outcomes. It cites official statements from the company and mentions the timeline for reporting and evaluation. The information aligns with typical publ
Why objectivity (80): The tone remains neutral, presenting the company's position and official statements without overt bias. It avoids emotionally charged language and focuses on factual reporting. However, the emphasis on the company's readiness to return funds may subtly suggest a positive stance toward transparency,
The article discusses the final evaluation process for the Verne project under the Robotaxi initiative, managed by the Central Agency for Funding and Program Agreement (SAFU). The project, part of Croatia’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO), concluded its implementation period on August 30, 2026. Verne, which is part of the Rimac Group, is required to submit a final claim for reimbursement within 30 days after the end of the implementation period. During this time, they may also justify the remaining portion of the disbursed funds. SAFU explains that the final assessment of the project’s achievement of its goals can only occur after the completion of the project and review of all documentation. This includes verifying the extent of fulfilled obligations and the acceptability of reported costs. The agreement also outlines potential financial corrections or returns if the obligations are not met. Verne has submitted documentation for 60 verification prototypes and testing of autonomous driving systems, along with official certificates from the Croatian Vehicle Center. Additionally, a memorandum was signed with the City of Zagreb and a public transportation provider for the
Bias read (Center): The article presents information regarding a public funding program and contractual obligations related to a national recovery plan. It does not take a clear ideological stance but rather reports procedural requirements and administrative processes. While the subject involves public spending and EU-
Why factuality (85): This article provides clear details about SAFU’s process, including deadlines for submitting final reports, evaluation timelines, and the criteria for assessing project success. It references specific dates (30 August 2026) and mentions the verification of prototypes and documentation. These facts a
Why objectivity (80): The article remains neutral, focusing on procedural details and official guidelines. It presents information based on SAFU’s response without taking sides or expressing personal opinion. The language is formal and objective, avoiding emotional or biased phrasing.
Prime minister Andrej Plenković responded to questions about the 'robotaxi' project led by Mate Rimac, which was funded through Croatia's National Plan for Recovery and Resilience (NPOO). The project, managed by Project 3 Mobility, was supposed to be completed by August 30, 2026, but has not yet been finalized. Media reports suggest that if the project is not completed, the European Commission might reduce the next tranche of financial aid to Croatia. Plenković emphasized that while the project did not meet its deadline, Croatia fulfilled all necessary prerequisites, including infrastructure development and legislative changes. He stated that the project aligns with the criteria set by the NPOO and that the failure to complete it does not necessarily mean the entire plan is at risk. He noted that the issue lies outside Croatia’s control, as the final homologation by the German authority is required.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the situation, focusing on the technical and administrative challenges faced by the project rather than taking a clear ideological stance. It includes both the concerns raised by the media and the government's defense of their efforts. While there is some舆论
Why factuality (75): The article reports on Prime Minister Plenković’s comments regarding the robotaxi project, citing his statements about the progress of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO) and the status of the project. It mentions the percentage of GDP allocated, reforms completed, and the amount of fun
Why objectivity (65): The tone is somewhat promotional, as it highlights Croatia’s achievements under the NPOO and frames the project as successful. There is an emphasis on national success rather than neutrality, and the language leans toward positive outcomes without presenting alternative viewpoints.
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