BYD has begun internal testing of mass-production-ready Level 3 (L3) autonomous driving systems in Shenzhen, working with local transportation authorities, Chinese media outlet Yicai reported.
The automaker has so far completed more than 150,000 kilometres of real-world L3 validation on Shenzhen’s highways and urban expressways, covering scenarios such as nighttime driving, rain, and road construction, according to the report.
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BYD was among nine automakers selected in 2024 to participate in China’s first pilot programme for L3 autonomous driving market access and road use, which was approved by four national ministries.
Interest in L3 licensing has intensified after China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) this week approved L3 autonomous driving permits for conventional passenger vehicles for the first time. The initial approvals cover Changan Automobile’s Deepal SL03 and BAIC-backed Arcfox’s Alpha S sedans for public testing on designated roads.
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Following the announcement, other companies including Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA), Xpeng, and Li Auto were reported to have started L3 autonomous driving tests in their respective cities.
An MIIT notice issued in June 2024 said the pilot programme list did not itself constitute market access or road operation approval, underscoring that Monday’s permit issuance represents a significant regulatory step toward broader deployment of L3 autonomous vehicles in China.