China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has granted market access to the country’s first batch of Level 3 (L3) conditionally autonomous vehicles, marking a key step toward commercial deployment of advanced self-driving technology.

Two models tailored for different driving scenarios — urban congestion and highway use — will begin on-road pilot operations in designated areas of Beijing and Chongqing, the ministry said. The approval signals China’s transition of L3 autonomous driving from testing to early commercial application.

The two vehicles come from automakers based in northern and southwestern China. The Chongqing-based manufacturer’s pure electric sedan supports autonomous driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h within a single lane on highways and urban expressways under congested traffic conditions. The function is currently limited to approved road sections in Chongqing.

The Beijing-based automaker’s pure electric sedan enables single-lane autonomous driving on highways and urban expressways at speeds of up to 80 km/h, with use restricted to designated routes in the capital.

Next, operating entities in Beijing and Chongqing will conduct pilot road-use programs for the two models within the approved areas, according to the ministry.