China's Autonomous Delivery Fleet Eyes Lucrative Night Market as Shenzhen Expands Round-the-Clock Operations

China's autonomous vehicle companies are aggressively pursuing night deliveries, betting that around-the-clock logistics can unlock substantial new revenue streams if they overcome technical hurdles tied to nighttime perception and safety. Shenzhen emerged as the pioneering hub for this shift, becoming the first Chinese city to grant nighttime road access to autonomous vehicles in March 2026. Since then, the operation has exploded: the night logistics network expanded from just two routes to 437 routes, with more than 170 driverless vans now handling parcels during the quiet hours.