China Approves First Batch of L3 Autonomous Driving Vehicles for On-Road Pilot Programs

[Technological Breakthrough] On December 15, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued China’s first batch of L3 autonomous driving access permits, with the Changan Deepal SL03 and Arcfox Alpha S6 selected as the initial pilot models.

⚡ Core Development: Legalization of Hands-Free and Eyes-Off Driving at L3 Level with Clear Liability Boundaries

The Changan Deepal SL03 supports single-lane autonomous driving in traffic jams at speeds up to 50 km/h on designated expressways in Chongqing (e.g., Neihuan and Xin Neihuan). The Arcfox Alpha S6 enables highway autonomous driving at speeds up to 80 km/h on sections such as the Beijing-JingTai Expressway, equipped with 34 sensors, including three LiDAR units.

🔍 Strategic Foundation: Geofencing and Adverse Weather Restrictions Ensure Safety

Functions for both models are restricted to designated road segments only, prohibiting cross-regional travel and operation on complex urban roads. The system requires drivers to resume control within 10 seconds, clearly assigning accident liability either to the automaker or the user.

💡 Industry Impact: Critical Step Toward Commercialization of L3 Autonomy

The pilot programs are operated by Chongqing Changan Vehicle Networking Technology and Beijing Mobility Automotive Services, which will continuously transmit real-time data to refine regulatory standards—marking China’s official entry into the phase of limited open-road deployment of autonomous driving technology.