Xiaomi receives L3 road‑test license in Beijing as autonomous‑driving push accelerates
Xiaomi Auto has officially obtained an L3 autonomous‑driving road‑test license in Beijing, marking a major step forward in the company's push toward advanced intelligent‑driving technology. The approval confirms that Xiaomi is now conducting normalized L3‑level testing on designated high‑speed intelligent‑connected vehicle routes in the city.
The license allows Xiaomi to perform conditional autonomous‑driving tests on approved highway sections, with the goal of exploring safer and more intelligent personal‑mobility services in the future. According to the *Beijing Autonomous Vehicle Annual Evaluation Report (2024-2025)*, Xiaomi is among 23 companies participating in L3 testing. As of the end of September 2025, a total of 750 autonomous passenger vehicles from these companies have accumulated more than 60.27 million km (≈37.45 million miles) of test mileage.
It is important to note that the current L3 license is strictly for manufacturer testing. Consumers will not be able to purchase or use L3‑equipped vehicles yet. Professor Zhu Xichan of Tongji University's School of Automotive Studies predicts that private buyers may not see L3‑capable production cars available for purchase until 2027 or 2028 at the earliest.
Xiaomi's entry into L3 testing signals its determination to compete in the rapidly evolving intelligent‑driving landscape. With major automakers and tech companies racing toward higher‑level autonomy, Xiaomi's progress highlights the company's growing capabilities in software, hardware integration, and real‑world validation.
Xiaomi Auto is the automotive division of Xiaomi Corporation, a major Chinese consumer‑electronics and smart‑device manufacturer founded in 2010 and headquartered in Beijing. Known globally for its smartphones, wearables, and smart‑home ecosystem, Xiaomi has expanded aggressively into electric vehicles, investing heavily in autonomous‑driving algorithms, in‑house chip development, and large‑scale data‑collection systems. The company aims to integrate its software‑hardware ecosystem into next‑generation intelligent EVs, positioning itself as a competitive newcomer in China's fast‑growing automotive market.
