- BYD has worked with Shenzhen transportation authorities to launch a mass-production-ready L3 autonomous driving internal tests in its headquarters city.
- BYD was among the first nine companies selected in 2024 for the national pilot program on L3 autonomous driving market access.
BYD (HKG: 1211, OTCMKTS: BYDDY) has worked with Shenzhen transportation authorities to launch mass-production-ready L3 autonomous driving internal tests in its headquarters city, local media outlet Yicai reported today.
To date, the company has completed over 150,000 kilometers of real-world L3 autonomous driving validation across Shenzhen's open highways and rapid roads, covering scenarios including rainy conditions, nighttime driving, and road construction, according to the report.
The report noted that BYD became one of nine companies selected in 2024 for China's first pilot program for L3 autonomous driving access and road use permits, approved by four national ministries.
As China's industrial regulator issued L3 autonomous driving permits for conventional passenger vehicles for the first time, discussions surrounding L3 licensing have become a trending topic.
On Monday, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced it had approved two L3 autonomous driving models -- the Changan Deepal SL03 and Arcfox Alpha S sedans -- for public testing on designated roads.
Subsequently, Huawei HIMA (Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance), Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV, HKG: 9868), and Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI, HKG: 2015) were reported to have commenced L3 autonomous driving tests in their respective cities.
On June 4, 2024, an MIIT notice revealed that nine automakers -- including Nio Inc (NYSE: NIO, HKG: 9866), BYD, Changan, GAC, SAIC, BAIC BluePark, China FAW Group, SAIC Hongyan, and Yutong Bus -- were included in a pilot program for connected vehicle market access and road operation.
According to the announcement at the time, the list was finalized after four government departments -- including MIIT -- organized expert reviews of the applications submitted by automakers and approved by the local governments where the vehicles were planned to operate.
In a separate Q&A at the time, the MIIT emphasized that the list did not signify that the automakers' autonomous vehicles had obtained market access permits or road operation approvals.
Monday's announcement marks the first time the MIIT has issued L3 autonomous driving permits, signifying a major regulatory update in this field.
