China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has introduced new mandatory national safety standards for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, set to take effect on July 1, 2026. The updated regulation, GB38031-2025 “Safety Requirements for Power Batteries of Electric Vehicles,” is the first global standard that mandates EV batteries to prevent fires and explosions, even in the event of internal thermal runaway.
A key enhancement in the new standard is the thermal diffusion test requirement. Unlike the previous standard, which only required a warning signal five minutes before a potential fire or explosion, the updated regulation stipulates that batteries must not ignite or explode, even during thermal runaway incidents. Additionally, any smoke generated from such events must be non-harmful to vehicle occupants.
- Bottom Impact Testing: This evaluates the battery’s protection capabilities when the vehicle’s underside is subjected to a collision.
- Fast-Charging Cycle Safety Testing: This requires batteries to endure 300 fast-charging cycles without experiencing fires or explosions during subsequent short-circuit tests.
Industry experts anticipate that these stringent requirements will greatly improve consumer safety and drive industry consolidation. Leading battery manufacturers, such as Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), have indicated that their technologies already comply with the new standards. CATL highlighted that their first-generation No Thermal Propagation (NP) technology has been in production since 2020.
A CATL representative commented, “The new standard will effectively reduce the risk of power battery fires after collisions in new energy vehicles, better protecting consumers’ lives.” The representative emphasized that meeting these requirements necessitates collaboration between automakers and battery producers.
The announcement comes shortly after a high-profile incident in March involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle that caught fire following a collision. Although the cause of the accident is still under investigation, it underscores the importance of enhanced battery safety measures.
Experts believe that the new national standards will bolster battery safety through rigorous testing, addressing public concerns about the spontaneous combustion risks associated with electric vehicles. While these regulations may lead to increased research and development costs for smaller and medium-sized enterprises and potentially cause short-term market consolidation, the long-term benefits are expected to be significant. Enhanced safety performance is likely to reduce hidden costs related to insurance and maintenance, thereby creating greater value opportunities across the EV sector.
Source: Car News China
