China looks beyond EVs, targets mass self-driving rollout by 2030

China is targeting the large-scale deployment of self-driving vehicles by 2030 as it seeks to take its auto industry beyond electric vehicles and strengthen the global position of Chinese carmakers.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology unveiled a roadmap for the development of China’s smart electric vehicle industry, covering autonomous driving, vehicle safety, production capacity and overseas expansion.

Under the plan, self-driving vehicles will be deployed at scale on highways, urban expressways and selected city roads by 2030. Beijing also wants autonomous-driving vehicles to achieve higher safety levels than human-driven vehicles.

The roadmap comes as China looks to build on its strong position in electric vehicles by competing in areas such as vehicle software, automated driving and connected-car technology.

China also wants to develop several automakers that rank among the world’s top 10 by sales and increase the global appeal of Chinese auto brands. The ministry said it would work to give China a stronger voice in international automotive standards and issue guidelines to support automakers expanding overseas.

China moves to curb auto overcapacity

The government is also seeking tighter control over production capacity in the auto and battery industries.

The ministry plans to curb overinvestment, encourage industry consolidation and eliminate inefficient capacity. It will also strengthen antitrust enforcement, product-quality supervision and rules aimed at promoting fair competition.

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The measures come as intense competition among Chinese automakers has put pressure on prices and margins, while manufacturers continue to expand production.

China has previously stepped up efforts to address what authorities have described as disorderly competition in the new-energy vehicle sector.

The new roadmap also calls for tighter rules covering vehicle production, road safety, autonomous driving and software upgrades, while allowing regulators to explore special approval pathways for key components and low-volume vehicles.

Push for global expansion

Beijing is also encouraging deeper cooperation between Chinese and foreign companies in vehicle and key-component research, investment and overseas market expansion.

For Chinese automakers, the next phase of growth is increasingly about moving from EV manufacturing to a broader intelligent-vehicle ecosystem.

The 2030 target puts autonomous driving at the centre of that strategy, while the government seeks to improve safety, reduce excess capacity and make Chinese auto brands more competitive in global markets.