China begins carbon footprint reporting for NEV batteries in 2026
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced a pilot program requiring NEV power battery manufacturers to report the carbon footprints of their products starting in 2026. The trial phase will collect data for representative battery models, with full reporting expected in 2027. MIIT emphasized that the pilot focuses on system-building rather than compliance enforcement, while providing a secure platform for manufacturers to submit data and coordinate third-party verification.
Power batteries are a significant source of lifecycle emissions in new energy vehicles, particularly high-energy lithium-ion chemistries, while lithium iron phosphate batteries typically have a lower carbon footprint. Internationally, regulators such as the European Union already require product-level carbon footprint reporting for batteries, making accurate, standardized measurement critical for both domestic carbon-neutrality goals and NEV export competitiveness.
The initiative establishes a structured carbon footprint management system for power batteries, covering standards, data platforms, monitoring, verification, and evaluation. MIIT described the pilot as demand-driven, systematic, open, and continuously improving. Companies will submit data for representative products in 2026, with gradual expansion to all battery models. Carbon footprint calculations cover four lifecycle stages: material acquisition, battery manufacturing, distribution, and recycling, normalized to the battery’s total energy output.
Activity data include monitored energy and material use during production, transport, and recycling, while background data refer to carbon emission factors for raw materials, energy sources, and components. Regional electricity factors and green certificates are incorporated to account for variations in power sources across China, and emissions over battery cycle life are calculated using measured cycles based on national battery cycle standards. This methodology ensures reporting reflects domestic industrial practices while remaining aligned with international lifecycle assessment frameworks, supporting carbon neutrality objectives and NEV export competitiveness.
Multiple stakeholders participate in the reporting system. Battery producers enter activity data, perform calculations, upload results, and coordinate with third-party auditors. Suppliers provide traceable data on raw materials, components, transport, and recycling. Verification institutions review and certify reported data according to national or industry standards. Universities, research institutes, industry associations, and enterprises maintain and update the background factor database, while industry experts participate in factor review, methodology assessment, and policy research. Collectively, these stakeholders support a robust, secure, and transparent reporting system.
MIIT plans to summarize results from the 2026 trial, refine standards, and study supporting policies, coordinating with other authorities, including the State Administration for Market Regulation, to ensure alignment with broader carbon management policies. The pilot is expected to validate the workflow, data quality, and platform operations, with full reporting planned for 2027. An infographic accompanying the notice illustrates a closed-loop workflow in which manufacturers enter data, auditors verify it, it is integrated into the background database, reported, and then reviewed for feedback, emphasizing secure data handling, platform governance, and collaborative participation. An MIIT official highlighted the workflow and platform for documenting the carbon footprint of power batteries during the announcement.
By establishing a structured carbon footprint reporting system, China aims to strengthen the sustainability of its NEV supply chain, improve transparency, and support international recognition of its power battery emissions data. The initiative is also expected to encourage technological innovation in battery production and lifecycle management, and to provide a model for systematic carbon accounting in the automotive sector.
