Beijing has approved new regulations enabling autonomous vehicles, aiming for driverless buses, taxis, and intelligent transport systems by April 2024.
China’s capital, Beijing, has introduced new regulations to promote autonomous driving technology, signaling a major step forward in the development of self-driving vehicles in the city. The regulations, which take effect on April 1, 2025, pave the way for the eventual deployment of driverless public buses, trams, taxis, and private vehicles, according to the state-backed “Beijing Daily” newspaper.
Autonomous vehicles that pass rigorous road testing and safety assessments will be eligible for road trials under the new rules. The city aims to create intelligent road infrastructure to support the widespread use of autonomous vehicles across various modes of transportation, from urban buses to private cars.
This initiative is part of Beijing’s broader push to modernise its transport systems while positioning itself as a leader in autonomous vehicle technology.
In a related development, the central Chinese city of Wuhan also announced regulations on Monday to promote intelligent connected vehicles, highlighting the national push toward self-driving innovation. At least 19 cities across China are already conducting trials for robotaxis and robobuses, with government support fueling the rapid growth of the sector.
Several companies are leading the charge in China’s autonomous driving space:
- Apollo Go (Baidu): Plans to deploy 1,000 robotaxis in Wuhan by the end of 2024.
- Pony.ai: Floated in the U.S. market in November, plans to expand its robotaxi fleet nationwide to over 1,000 by 2026 from 250 this year.
- WeRide, AutoX, and SAIC Motor: These firms are also exploring opportunities in the world’s largest auto market.
On the global stage, Tesla has ambitious plans to bring its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology to China by the first quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approval. The US-based electric vehicle giant also announced it will begin producing its own robotaxi in 2026.
Beijing’s move underscores China’s determination to remain at the forefront of autonomous driving technology. With robust government support and growing industry investment, the country is positioning itself as a global leader in the development and deployment of intelligent transportation systems.
Melissa Enoch
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