China is preparing a second batch of pilot approvals for Level 3 autonomous-driving vehicles, an official from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said at the 2026 World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference. The ministry has not named the manufacturers or models under consideration, or provided a timetable for the decisions.
The first conditional approvals, issued in December 2025, covered the Changan Deepal SL03 and BAIC’s Arcfox Alpha S. The permits allow the battery-electric sedans to operate in limited conditions on designated routes: the Deepal can use single-lane automated driving at up to 50 km/h in congestion on specified roads in Chongqing, while the Arcfox can do so at up to 80 km/h on designated roads in Beijing. These are pilot road-use permissions, not authorization for unrestricted nationwide operation.
MIIT says it will continue monitoring vehicle operation and strengthening safety measures as the pilots progress. China’s national safety standard for Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous-driving systems is due to take effect on July 1, 2027. Separately, the ministry opened a consultation on October 20 on vehicle lighting rules that would allow optional turquoise indicators when Level 3-or-higher driving functions are active. The proposed lighting standard is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2028, subject to final provisions.