Key facts
- Xpeng's Yoyo driverless taxis received permission for demonstration operations in Guangdong province.
- Volkswagen secured a Level 3 autonomous driving test permit in Hefei, China.
- Volkswagen aims to have Level 3 autonomous driving technology ready in China by 2027.
- Xpeng's robotaxi service qualified for Level 4 demonstration operations in Guangzhou.
- Xpeng CEO aims for driverless passenger transport by 2027.
China has granted new autonomous driving permits to electric vehicle maker Xpeng and Volkswagen's joint venture, intensifying the commercialization race. Xpeng received permission for "demonstration operations" of its Yoyo driverless taxis in Guangdong province. Volkswagen secured a Level 3 autonomous driving test permit in Hefei, with testing and large-scale data collection already underway. The permit was issued under China’s strictest L3 framework and meets the country’s latest mandatory safety design standards.