XPeng Wins Permit for Robotaxi Tests as CEO Sees Full Autonomy Within Three Years
00:00/00:00
Listen to this article
1x
Subscribe now
Listen to the full version
Listen to the full version
XPeng Chairman He Xiaopeng speaks at a press conference on March 2 in Guangzhou. Photo: XPeng
XPeng Inc. has secured a permit to conduct public road tests for its next-generation robotaxi in Guangzhou, marking a fresh push by the Chinese electric-vehicle maker into Level 4 autonomous driving as competition intensifies in the global race toward driverless cars.
The company disclosed the progress Monday, with Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng predicting that “full autonomous driving” could become a reality within one to three years.
You've accessed an article available only to subscribers
VIEW OPTIONS
Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.
Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.
- RELATED
Share this article
Open WeChat and scan the QR code
- DIGEST HUB
Digest Hub
Back
Explore the story in 30 seconds
- XPeng secured a permit for Level 4 robotaxi public road tests in Guangzhou and aims to achieve full autonomous driving within 1–3 years.
- The company is deploying second-generation Vision-Language-Action (VLA) AI models, removing the language layer for direct visual-to-action driving, with overseas deliveries set for 2027.
- XPeng’s robotaxi efforts reflect rapid evolution in autonomous tech, with 468 iterations of the new model since November and emphasis on both safety and usability.
AI generated, for reference only
Who’s Who
- XPeng Inc.
- XPeng Inc. secured a permit for public road tests of its next-generation robotaxi in Guangzhou, pushing into Level 4 autonomous driving. Chairman He Xiaopeng anticipates "full autonomous driving" within one to three years. Their robotaxi operates without human intervention in defined conditions. The company plans to expand pilot ride services later this year. XPeng uses a second-generation Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model for its robotaxis and Level 2 driver-assistance features.
- Tesla Inc.
- Tesla Inc. is a leading company in the shift from advanced driver-assistance systems (Level 2) to the more complex Level 4 autonomous driving. In April 2024, CEO Elon Musk announced plans for a Robotaxi, and by October, the company unveiled its Cybercab. The first Cybercab rolled off Tesla’s Texas production line in February 2025.
AI generated, for reference only
What Happened When
- Since 2023：
- Rapid advances in artificial intelligence drive automakers to adopt end-to-end AI architectures for autonomous driving.
- April 2024：
- Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced plans to introduce a Robotaxi product.
- October 2024：
- Tesla unveiled its steering-wheel-free Cybercab.
- September 2025：
- XPeng began rolling out its first-generation VLA system to users.
- Over the past year (2025-2026)：
- Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models emerge and evolve for autonomous vehicles.
- Since November 2025：
- XPeng engineers have iterated 468 versions of the second-generation VLA model.
- February 2026：
- The first Tesla Cybercab rolled off the production line in Texas.
- March 2, 2026：
- XPeng Inc. disclosed it had secured a permit to conduct public road tests for its next-generation robotaxi in Guangzhou.
- March 2026：
- XPeng scheduled to release its second-generation VLA system.
AI generated, for reference only
- PODCAST
- MOST POPULAR
Sign in with Google
Sign in with Facebook
Sign in with 财新