The Deepal SL03, one of China's road-legal L3 autonomous driving models, speeds down the road. (Photo/Deepal)
Chongqing - 2026 marks the launch of Robotaxi commercialization in China, as major players like Changan Automobile, XPeng, and Pony.ai shift from testing to large-scale operations, supported by new licenses, restructuring, and proven profitability.
As an emerging mode of transportation leveraging L4 and higher autonomous technology to provide passenger services without human drivers, Robotaxis represent a massive market opportunity. Global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan projects that initial commercialization will take hold this year, with full-scale deployment across major markets expected by 2030.
Automakers are moving quickly to capture this potential. Chongqing-based Changan recently secured L4 Robotaxi licenses for fully driverless road testing in Chongqing, positioning itself as a leading manufacturer with full regulatory clearance for all-scenario operations.
Rather than developing entirely new models, Changan has upgraded existing vehicles with its self-developed “end-to-end” AI large models. These upgrades have eliminated the need for in-car safety drivers while tripling perception accuracy and decision-making speed.
The testing zone now encompasses complex road conditions in Yongchuan District, including arterial roads, commercial centers, and residential neighborhoods. Integrated with the local “Vehicle-Road-Cloud Integration” system, the vehicles achieve efficient, real-time coordination between vehicle, road, and cloud.
Meanwhile, new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer XPeng has elevated its Robotaxi operations to a primary business unit overseeing the entire value chain, from R&D to operations.
During its 2025 annual earnings call, Chairman He Xiaopeng outlined a strategic roadmap: pilot passenger operations are slated for the second half of 2026, with fully driverless service expected by early 2027. XPeng also plans to open its system to external partners, enabling differentiated regional services.
While automakers scale hardware, autonomous driving technology firms are proving the sector’s financial viability. Pony.ai, a top-tier player, reported that its core Robotaxi business generated 116 million yuan (US$16.84 million) in 2025—a 129% year-on-year increase—with passenger fare revenue surging nearly 400%. In Q4 alone, this line recorded 46.6 million yuan, accounting for nearly 40% of the annual total.
Operational efficiency is also reaching a turning point. Following the large-scale commercial launch of its seventh-generation Robotaxi in November 2025, Pony.ai achieved positive per-vehicle operational profit in Guangzhou the same month. By February 2026, Shenzhen vehicles reached the same milestone.
As of March 22, the average daily net income per vehicle in Shenzhen hit a record 394 yuan, with daily orders stabilizing at 25 per car. Enhanced service quality has driven Pony.ai’s user base past one million, nearly triple the figure from the previous year.
Notably, Pony.ai’s Robotaxi revenue derives solely from passenger fares and technical solutions, excluding vehicle hardware sales. This provides direct evidence of the commercial viability of the Robotaxi business loop under real-world operating conditions.
From technical breakthroughs by automakers to commercial validation by tech firms, China’s Robotaxi industry is expanding rapidly under supportive macro policies. To date, 26 cities nationwide have officially launched L4 autonomous driving commercial pilots, forming six major regional hubs centered on Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, and Hangzhou.