Asia Tech Wire (July 4) -- One of the Tesla vehicles that previously raised safety concerns in China has entered a local government procurement catalog for the first time.

The Tesla Model Y rear-wheel-drive version entered the Jiangsu provincial government's new energy vehicle procurement catalog for 2024-2025, according to a notice published on the Jiangsu government's procurement website in early June.

The result marks Beijing's recognition of Tesla, in stark contrast to its previous restricted access by some government agencies.

The Model Y is now Tesla's most popular SUV, with a CLTC pure electric range of 554 kilometers and a starting price of 249,900 yuan in China.

The notice shows that along with the Tesla Model Y, the finalists also include new energy models from Geely, Changan Automobile, Volvo, Seres and other automakers.

A procurement solicitation document shows that the range of purchasers or service recipients of this batch of cars are party and government organs, public institutions and group organizations at all levels in Jiangsu province.

The local government plans to purchase models including sedans, off-road vehicles and SUVs, commercial vehicles and MPVs, pickup trucks, medium and large buses, etc., of which an SUV has a price limit of 250,000 yuan, and requires a pure electric range of more than 400 kilometers.

Although Tesla cars are selling well in China, it has encountered restrictions from some government agencies over the past period of time. Especially when it comes to sensitive or classified places, Tesla vehicles are often banned from entering.

These restrictions mainly stem from concerns about Tesla's in-vehicle camera system, which could record and transmit sensitive information, leading to privacy and security issues.