15 million new Chinese EVs to have self-driving features this year

Even models priced below 100,000 yuan (US$13,914) will have basic autonomous-driving features, according an industry body

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An electric vehicle from Xpeng drives itself under the company’s X NGP (Xpeng navigation guided pilot) advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). Photo: Xpeng

Published: 3:00pm, 2 Feb 2025

About 15 million new cars taking to mainland China’s roads – even models priced below 100,000 yuan (US$13,914) – will be fitted with preliminary autonomous-driving technology this year as the cost of the technology declines, according to industry estimates.

These cars will feature at least level 2 (L2) self-driving capabilities, meaning they can control steering, acceleration and deceleration but still require drivers to take over at any time.

Two out of three new cars sold on the mainland in 2025 will have the L2 autonomous driving capability or above, according to Zhang Yongwei, general secretary of China EV100, a non-governmental organisation that has as members most of the top executives of the country’s major electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers. Level of intelligence is a new battleground for carmakers as they struggle to survive cutthroat competition, he said during a press conference last month in Beijing.

“Mass production of advanced driver assistance systems [ADAS] in the world’s largest automotive market has enabled more Chinese consumers to get a taste of self-driving,” said David Zhang, general secretary of the International Intelligent Vehicle Engineering Association. “The rising adoption of intelligent cars marks a watershed in the global automobile industry.”

In 2024, Chinese manufacturers delivered 22.9 million cars, comprising both electric and petrol vehicles, to domestic and international customers, up 5.5 per cent on year.

Echoing Zhang’s forecast, BYD, the world’s largest EV maker, has drawn up a plan to build cars priced below 100,000 yuan with preliminary ADAS, according to two industry officials with knowledge of its plans.

Most Chinese-made cars with ADAS are priced above 150,000 yuan.