Beijing allows self-driving cargo vehicle test on roads

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Beijing permits road tests for passenger- and cargo- carrying autonomous vehicles, according to the trial implementation rules released by the capital. So far, more than 20 provinces and cities in China have allowed road test of self-driving cars, of which six cities have given green lights to self-driving cars for carrying passengers.

(Photo source: BAIC Group)

To challenge more difficult self-driving road tests, some regions, with Guangzhou as a start at the end of 2018, have gradually allowed vehicle test carrying passengers or cargo, platooning or high-speed driving. More cities are expected to follow suit next year.

At present, autonomous vehicles with passengers can be test-driven in Guangzhou, Changsha, Shanghai, Wuhan, Cangzhou and Beijing while Shanghai, Wuhan, Changsha and Cangzhou have issued licenses for the road tests and Baidu has tested its passenger-carrying vehicles in Changsha and Cangzhou. Other companies given the licenses include SAIC Motor, BMW, Didi, and Haylion Technologies.         

(Photo source: Baidu)

Although Beijing is the last to approve test with passengers among the six cities, the regulations are relatively strict and clearly defined, under which tests by stages are required, with test mileage as the key threshold.

The road test with cargo proposed by Beijing is aimed at optimizing the performance of autonomous vehicles when loaded with cargo. The test, or the application of autonomous driving in the field of logistics, is much more urgent than that of passenger vehicles.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s draft proposal on NEVs (2021-2035) noted that highly autonomous connected vehicles shall be applied commercially in limited areas and specific scenarios by 2025, such as logistics and ports as supposed.