SZ to expand autonomous vehicle test scenarios

By the end of 2023, Shenzhen will be the first city in China whose administrative areas are all open to intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs), according to a plan by Shenzhen transport bureau. By the end of 2025, the number of driverless vehicles on the road will exceed a benchmark of 1,000. Shenzhen will be a model city for ICV high-quality development and take the lead in China for having an ICV industrial cluster.

The city will further expand the road types where autonomous vehicles can run, including expressways. For self-driving vehicles applying for road tests and pilot use, the city has set up two mileage thresholds — 30,000 kilometers and 10,000 kilometers respectively, and imposed conditions such as the number of vehicles applying for the first time and safety staff requirements.

The implementation plan clarified that autonomous vehicles for trial runs include passenger cars, commercial vehicles and special operation vehicles such as unmanned cleaning vehicles.

Shenzhen has over 1,200 ICV-related enterprises, the largest number in the country, data from Shenzhen transport bureau showed. The city has issued 195 road test permits to 13 enterprises engaged in autonomous driving businesses.

Statistics showed that Shenzhen ICV industry’s operating revenue reached 106.6 billion yuan (US$15.13 billion) in 2021.

As of August 2022, the city had opened 187 road sections for ICV testing, with a total mileage of 201 kilometers.