China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has announced new mandatory national safety standards for electric vehicle batteries that will take effect on July 1, 2026. The updated regulation GB38031-2025 “Safety Requirements for Power Batteries of Electric Vehicles” represents the world’s first standard requiring batteries to prevent fire and explosion even after internal thermal runaway occurs.

The most significant change in the new standard is the thermal diffusion test requirement. While the previous standard only required a warning signal five minutes before fire or explosion, the updated regulation mandates that batteries must not catch fire or explode, even during thermal runaway events. Additionally, any smoke generated must not harm vehicle occupants.

The standard also introduces new tests, including:

• Bottom impact testing to evaluate battery protection capabilities when the underside experiences a collision
• Fast-charging cycle safety testing requires batteries to withstand 300 fast-charging cycles without fire or explosion during subsequent short-circuit tests

Industry experts believe these stringent requirements will significantly enhance consumer safety while accelerating industry consolidation. Leading manufacturers like CATL claim they have already developed technologies that meet the new standards. CATL states that their first-generation No Thermal Propagation (NP) technology has been produced since 2020.

“The new standard will effectively reduce the risk of power battery fires after collisions in new energy vehicles, better protecting consumers’ lives,” said a CATL representative, emphasising that meeting these requirements demands collaboration between automakers and battery manufacturers.

The timing of this announcement follows closely behind a high-profile accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle that caught fire after a collision in March. However, the cause of that incident remains under investigation.

Industry experts believe the new national standard safeguards battery safety through rigorous testing protocols, significantly alleviating public concerns about spontaneous combustion risks in electric vehicles. While these regulations may increase R&D costs for small and medium-sized enterprises and potentially trigger short-term market consolidation, the industry’s long-term benefits are substantial. Enhanced safety performance will ultimately reduce hidden costs related to insurance and maintenance, creating greater value opportunities across the sector.

Source: GOV.cn