Particle.news
Download on the App Store

China Clears First L3 Cars and Expands City Testing to XPeng and Li Auto

The tightly bounded permits signal a cautious shift to routine, regulator‑monitored operations.

Overview

  • MIIT granted the country’s first approvals for Level 3 autonomous models from Changan and BAIC’s Arcfox after required product tests and safety reviews.
  • Operational limits are explicit: Changan’s sedan is capped at 50 km/h on designated Chongqing roads, while Arcfox’s model is limited to 80 km/h in specified areas of Beijing.
  • XPeng and Li Auto secured city road‑test permits that regulators and local reports describe as enabling “normalized” L3 testing within defined zones.
  • XPeng confirmed its Guangzhou permit and released a company video showing its system handling a police sobriety checkpoint without human intervention.
  • Regulators set no market‑launch timeline for the approved models, though carmakers can begin assembling vehicles once cleared by the ministry.