CCTV News previously highlighted the issue of "battery locking" in new energy vehicles. In March 2026, data from the national 12315 platform revealed that over 12,000 complaints regarding OTA battery locking by automakers were lodged within a single month, marking a staggering 273% year-on-year increase. Consequently, eight automakers underwent interviews, three were subjected to investigations for violations, and two withdrew contentious upgrade packages, pledging to restore vehicle performance. Earlier, in 2021, the WM Motor's EX5 model faced spontaneous combustion incidents, prompting the implementation of battery locking, which drew public criticism from the China Consumers Association. Some engineers have argued that "battery locking" serves as a "zero-cost repair" strategy, mitigating the risk of malfunctions and reducing battery replacement costs during the warranty period. Certain automakers even went as far as locking standard battery modes and offering them as paid subscription services. In 2025, relevant authorities issued regulations to standardize OTA upgrades, and in March 2026, they jointly issued a notice outlining "four prohibitions" aimed at curbing malicious battery locking practices in vehicles.