As of July 1, 2026, two compulsory national standards for electric vehicles—Safety Requirements for Electric Vehicles (GB 18384—2025) and Safety Requirements for Traction Batteries Used in Electric Vehicles (GB 38031—2025)—will be officially put into effect. These standards, formulated under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, concentrate on vehicle safety and traction battery safety, respectively. When compared to their predecessors, the new standards markedly elevate safety requirements.

Regarding vehicle safety, the new standards specifically define the “one-touch power cut” device as a physical power cut mechanism. They stipulate that when the vehicle is stationary and not being charged, the driver must be able to mechanically disconnect the high-voltage circuit with a single action. This provision ensures a swift and effective means of cutting off power in emergency situations, enhancing overall vehicle safety.

As for traction battery safety, the new standards impose stricter thermal runaway test criteria. They mandate that batteries must “neither catch fire nor explode, and that the smoke and gas emitted during testing do not pose a threat to occupants.” Additionally, new tests for bottom impact and post-fast-charging cycle safety have been introduced. The bottom impact test requires the battery to endure repeated impacts from a 10kg striker on its bottom three times while the vehicle is stationary. The bottom scraping test, a term used here to describe a specific collision scenario, mandates that the vehicle collide with a solid hemispherical barrier with a diameter of 15 cm at a speed of 35 km/h. The post-fast-charging cycle safety test necessitates that the battery undergo an external short-circuit test after 300 fast-charging cycles and meet stringent requirements, such as no fire or explosion.

In terms of implementation, models seeking type approval after July 1, 2026, must fully adhere to the new regulations. Meanwhile, models that have already been approved and are currently on sale will be granted a one-year transition period, extending until July 1, 2027. Presently, several domestic and new energy vehicle brands have proactively completed technical upgrades for their models in anticipation of these changes.

It is worth noting that the new national standards primarily target newly manufactured electric vehicles and those applying for market access. There are no retroactive requirements for existing vehicle owners, ensuring a smooth transition and minimizing disruption for current users.