Autonomous EV Automakers Given A Major Boost In China!

In the last few years, we have seen tremendous leaps in autonomous mobility or self-driving vehicle capabilities and its testing, with companies seeking approvals to deploy such technology on public roads.

Despite the last few months presenting industry leaders Cruise with challenges and Tesla with recall issues, the autonomous vehicles industry keeps driving strong.

In the last month, numerous companies have received or are looking to gain approvals to deploy their self-driving vehicles on Chinese roads, as China, the world’s largest automobile market, is looking to accelerate innovation and adoption of autonomous driving.

In this regard, even automakers are making moves to build their presence and get an advantage in the country. So, what are autonomous car companies doing in China? Let’s explore!
 

What Is BYD Doing?

 

• BYD, a well-known Chinese automobile manufacturer that’s touted to challenge Tesla’s supremacy in fully electric vehicle sales worldwide and according to reports, might soon surpass the American automaker.

• Before entering the automobile industry, the company used to produce and sell batteries and in the early 2000s became the first Chinese lithium-ion supplier to Nokia and Motorola.

• Apart from electric vehicles, the company announced the development of its self-driving vehicle fleet.

• The company recently revealed through its official Weibo account that it obtained a conditional testing license to try out its Level 3 (L3) self-driving vehicles on high-speed roads.

• The company also said that it was the first company to be granted such a license in China, which it got in July.

 

What Is Mercedes-Benz Doing?

 

• Recently, Mercedes-Benz also said it received approval from the Beijing municipal government to carry out Level 3 automated driving tests on designated Beijing highways.

• While the company hasn’t provided an exact time frame for its testing, it did mention it was part of the first batch of companies to receive such an approval.

• It further clarified that it has already been testing L3 autonomous driving systems in closed environments in China since 2021.

• Earlier in the year, Mercedes-Benz was also granted permission to offer its L3 “hands-free driving” system called Drive Pilot, in the US market. It was the first company to receive state approval to deploy its L3 system.

 

What Is BMW Doing?

 

• Last month, BMW announced that it acquired a testing license to deploy its L3 autonomous vehicles on designated high-speed roads in Shanghai.

• Prior to this, BWM had received a license in 2018 allowing the company to test its vehicles on 3.5 miles of public roads in the city.

• The company also said it would launch products equipped with L3 capabilities when they can in accordance with Chinese regulations and laws.

• This also makes the company the first one to comply with the UN’s regulations of Automated Lane Keeping System and receive an approval for high-speed self-driving testing in China.

• Other than this, BMW also obtained certification for L3 autonomous driving from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority in September.

 

What Is IM Motors Doing?

 

• IM Motors, an EV joint venture between SAIC Motor, a Chinese automaker, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech and Alibaba Group, recently said it was applying for L3 product entry, with the company also receiving an official license to conduct tests on highways and expressways in China.

• The company also believes it could emerge with one of the first highly autonomous driving vehicles by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

• Earlier in the year, the company even signed an MoU with Audi, allowing the German company to use IM Motors’ EV production platform, engines, batteries, intelligent driving system and more.

Do you think it’s vital that other automakers speed up their testing and adoption of self-driving systems to stay ahead of the race? Who will emerge as the leader in the autonomous driving sector?

Let us know in the comments below!