WeRide Self-Driving Taxis Approved to Carry Passengers in California

China-based self-driving company WeRide has received permission to test its autonomous vehicles (AVs) with passengers in California.

A permit from regulator the California Public Utilities Commission issued on Aug. 2 shows that the company has been granted approval to participate in the state’s “drivered” and “driverless” programs.

What this means is that WeRide can test its AVs, both with a driver and without one, on public roads, while ferrying passengers around

The permit lasts for three years, expiring on Aug. 2, 2027, but does not allow the company to offer rides to the public, nor charge for fares.

Nevertheless, it constitutes a significant landmark for WeRide, moving the company into relatively exclusive territory previously only occupied by the likes of more familiar names such as Waymo, Cruise and Zoox.

WeRide first received permits from California to test its vehicles without passengers in 2021, but it has made slow progress, with data from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles revealing that it accrued just over 42,000 autonomous miles in 2023. 

The company has said little about its plans in the U.S., but it is understood that it has 12 active vehicles and will test in the San Jose area, where it has an office.

Interestingly, the permit also makes reference to the fact it is “limited to the use of vehicles seating fewer than 16 people,” a requirement that has not been spelled out in approvals to other AV companies.

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It is not clear why this has been included, but it may be due to the fact that the firm has a burgeoning selection of AVs in its portfolio, including a Robobus.

While the permit is unquestionably good news for WeRide – which is based in Guangzhou in Guangdong province – it also comes at an interesting time for the company.

Earlier in August, it was revealed that WeRide had filed an initial public offering (IPO) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. It has been reported that it could be seeking a valuation of up to $5 billion.

But at the same time, the U.S. is considering a ban on Chinese software in AVs and connected vehicles, and the WeRide filing acknowledged: “We face risks associated with the fact that the PRC [People’s Republic of China] government has significant authority in regulating our operations and may influence or intervene in our operations at any time, regulatory approvals on offerings conducted overseas by, and foreign investment in, China-based issuers, anti-monopoly regulatory actions and oversight on data security.”

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The company has consistently highlighted its progress globally, pointing out that it is active in 30 cities across seven countries.

As well as extensive operations in China – where it is promoting the launch of its next-generation taxi in October – it has received a wide-ranging license to operate AVs in the United Arab Emirates, recently launched Singapore’s first autonomous bus and is also eyeing expansion in Europe, where it conducted a pilot of its Robobus in tandem with the Renault Group at the French Open tennis in June.