EXCLUSIVE: Chinese robotaxi startup WeRide gets approval to carry passengers in California

Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide has received the green light to test its driverless vehicles with passengers in California. 

The step comes as WeRide begins the process to go public on the U.S. stock market at a nearly $5 billion valuation. The timing also coincides with reports that the Commerce Department is considering a ban on Chinese connected vehicles – which include autonomous vehicles – due to national security concerns. 

As of August 2, WeRide holds two permits from the California Public Utilities Commission approved two permits: A drivered pilot permit and a driverless pilot permit. Both allow WeRide to test its vehicles on public roads while carrying passengers – the former with a human safety driver behind the wheel, and the latter without one. The permits do not yet allow WeRide to charge passengers for rides, and the service isn’t available to the general public. 

WeRide did not respond to requests for further details, including whether it has started transporting passengers in its autonomous vehicles. A spokesperson from the CPUC told TechCrunch WeRide is permitted to test in San Jose and nearby areas, and that the company has 12 active vehicles on its equipment list today.

WeRide has been testing its vehicles autonomously without passengers on public roads in San Jose since 2021 after receiving permits from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. 

The company’s rollout in California has been slow. In 2023, WeRide’s vehicles drove just 42,391 miles autonomously in the state, per DMV data. By comparison, Waymo drove over 9 million autonomous miles. 

WeRide has shared little about its plans for commercializing in California. Its CPUC permit notes that WeRide is “limited to the use of vehicles seating fewer than 16 people, including the driver.” This stipulation – which isn’t in Waymo’s, Cruise’s or Zoox’s permits – could be in regards to WeRide’s different vehicle types. In addition to a robotaxi, WeRide has also built a robobus, which seats up to 10 passengers. 

WeRide touts itself as the first autonomous driving company in the world that is operating and testing in 30 cities across seven countries. The startup holds permits to drive autonomously on public roads in four countries: China, Singapore, the UAE and the U.S.. Aside from its robotaxi and robobus, WeRide is also working on a robovan (for goods delivery), a robotic street sweeper, and ADAS for OEMs.