Tesla gets China’s mapping licence

China’s internet giant Baidu has reached an agreement with Tesla that paves the way for the rollout of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in China, Reuters cited on Monday sources familiar with the matter.

The deal grants Tesla access to Baidu’s mapping licence, a critical regulatory requirement for operating autonomous driving systems in China.  This removes a final hurdle for Tesla in its quest to offer FSD functionality to its Chinese customers.

The agreement reportedly includes Baidu providing its lane-level navigation system to Tesla, further enhancing the capabilities of the FSD system, according to the statement.

This news comes after Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s recent visit to China, where he reportedly met with Premier Li Qiang to discuss approvals for FSD and data transfer permissions.

Chinese regulations mandate that all intelligent driving systems obtain a mapping licence before operating on public roads, and foreign companies require a partnership with a licensed domestic firm.

Baidu is one of a select few companies holding such a license.

This collaboration builds upon an existing partnership between the two companies. Since 2020, Tesla has utilised Baidu’s navigation maps in its China-based vehicles, similar to navigation apps on smartphones.

Notably, Baidu hosted a press conference on April 20th announcing partnerships with various companies, including Tesla, although details regarding FSD were not mentioned at the time.