Beijing Pioneers Large-Scale Deployment of L3 Autonomous Driving, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region Jointly Builds “Future Vehicles”
Source: Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area Administrative Committee
In early 2026, Beijing launched a large-scale L3 autonomous driving pilot. Thirty Arcfox αS (L3) vehicles with "Z"-plates hit designated expressways including Jingtai and Daxing Airport Expressway. BAIC Arcfox, as one of the first automakers to receive L3 approval in China, marked a critical step from testing to mass production.
From Technical Validation to Large-Scale Implementation
After four years of R&D, the Arcfox L3 project achieved precise steering, smooth speed control, and automatic following. The pilot adopts a "business-first, gradual rollout" strategy, opening to individual users in Q2 2026. Li Auto and Xiaomi Auto have also obtained L3 testing licenses and are conducting routine road tests in Beijing.
Yizhuang: A Living Model of Autonomous Driving
In Yizhuang, driverless taxis from companies like Baidu and Pony.ai operate routinely without safety drivers, offering convenient and affordable rides. Driverless minibuses and delivery vehicles traverse the streets, integrating smart mobility into daily life.
Policy Leadership Drives Comprehensive Demonstration Zone Upgrade
Beijing has steadily rolled out autonomous driving policies since 2017, highlighted by the Beijing Autonomous Driving Vehicle Regulations (April 2025). The nation's pioneering "vehicle-road-cloud integration" high-level demonstration zone expanded from Phase 1.0 to Phase 3.0, now covering 600 sq km. It currently serves 40+ enterprises and 1,400 vehicles, with cumulative test mileage surpassing 48 million km.
Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Collaborative Industrial Cluster
The three regions have forged a "R&D in Beijing, manufacturing in Tianjin, scenario testing in Hebei" model. Key milestones include: the Beijing-Tianjin-Tanggu Expressway fully opened for testing; 4,311 km of test roads in operation; 60+ million km of testing completed; 22 major technological breakthroughs; and an auto industry cluster exceeding 840 billion yuan in output value, now the region's top manufacturing sector.
Future Outlook: Standardization and Scenario Interconnectivity
Experts urge accelerating autonomous driving infrastructure standards in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, expanding cross-regional test roads, and leveraging Yizhuang, Binhai, and Xiong'an to build a globally competitive intelligent connected vehicle cluster. Beijing is leveraging large-scale L3 deployment to extend autonomous driving from urban roads to expressways, building a full-scenario intelligent mobility system to lead the global industry.
