Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI, HKG: 2015) has reportedly obtained Level 3 autonomous driving testing permits in its headquarters city, following a significant regulatory update in China's autonomous driving sector.
Li Auto has recently obtained L3 autonomous driving road testing permits in Beijing and has been conducting routine road tests, local media outlet National Business Daily reported today.
The permits primarily authorize conditional autonomous driving tests on designated Beijing roads, the report said.
Li Auto has not yet announced this development through its official channels.
Earlier today, local media outlet Yicai reported that Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV, HKG: 9868) has obtained L3 autonomous driving road test permits in its headquarters city of Guangzhou and initiated regular road testing.
Xpeng vice president Yu Tao subsequently confirmed the report, saying he anticipates surprises in the first quarter of next year.
Another domestic outlet, Cailian, reported today that Huawei's HIMA (Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance) business recently worked with transportation authorities to launch internal testing of L3 conditional autonomous driving in Shenzhen.
These developments follow China's industrial regulator issuing the nation's first L3 autonomous driving permits.
Yesterday, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced approval for two L3 autonomous models -- the Changan Deepal SL03 and Arcfox Alpha S sedans -- to conduct public testing on designated roads.
No recent reports indicate whether Nio Inc (NYSE: NIO, HKG: 9866) has received approval for L3 testing.
Nio obtained an L3 autonomous driving test license in Shanghai in December 2023, enabling conditional autonomous driving system road tests on designated highways and rapid roads.
On June 4, 2024, Nio announced it was included in China's first batch of automakers permitted to pilot vehicles equipped with L3/L4 autonomous driving capabilities on public roads.
Following approval, these vehicles can operate on roads within designated zones, laying the groundwork for commercial deployment of high-level autonomous driving, the company said at the time.
