Tougher rules over car battery safety

China is set to enforce the world's first mandatory safety regulations for new energy vehicle batteries that explicitly prohibit fire and explosion — a landmark move to address public concerns and solidify its position as a global NEV pioneer.

Issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology last week and effective from July 1, 2026, the updated standards will replace a 2020 version that only required a five-minute fire-risk warning, shifting the focus to proactive risk elimination.

The core provision of the regulations stipulates that batteries must not ignite or explode for at least two hours, even during thermal runaway — a self-heating state of lithium-ion cells that is the primary cause of battery-related incidents — and must emit a thermal event alarm while ensuring any smoke produced does not harm occupants.

The new regulations also introduce several stringent testing requirements, including an underside impact test to assess battery protection in the event of a collision. The update is most relevant, given that an increasing number of batteries are being structurally integrated into vehicles under the cell-to-body design approach.

Moreover, batteries will need to pass a safety test proving they can withstand 300 rapid charging cycles followed by a short-circuit test.

According to the MIIT, as of February 2024, 78 percent of the 36 surveyed vehicle and battery companies have the technology to prevent batteries from catching fire or exploding. An additional 14 percent expect to have this capability by 2026-27.

Yang Hongxin, CEO of battery provider Svolt Energy, said that the company started developing such products two years ago. Currently, all its clients are able to meet the new national battery standard.

CATL, the leading Chinese battery manufacturer, said its first-generation No Thermal Propagation technology, in production since 2020, meets the new requirements.

Currently, CATL is developing NP technology, including NP2.0 with high-voltage and smoke separation, and NP3.0 that prevents smoke during thermal runaway.

"The new standard will effectively reduce the risk of battery fires after collisions in new energy vehicles, better protecting consumers' lives," a CATL representative said, emphasizing the need for collaboration between automakers and battery suppliers.

An Conghui, president of Geely Holding Group and CEO of Zeekr, said: "Safety involves not just the battery cells but the entire system's safety. Apart from the battery cells, considerations must also extend to the pack, electronic architecture, mechanical structure, as well as sensors and computing power."

An said Geely is confident in meeting the new requirements ahead of schedule through R&D in integrated safety systems.

China's NEV sector — encompassing electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids — has experienced huge growth, with monthly sales surpassing gasoline cars since 2024.In the first quarter, NEV sales jumped 50.4 percent to 3.08 million units, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers show.

But recent incidents, such as the fatal crash in March involving a Xiaomi SU7 sedan in Anhui province that caught fire after a collision, have heightened consumer concerns about NEV safety.

These stringent rules will boost consumer safety and accelerate industry consolidation, pushing smaller players to invest in advanced technologies or exit the market, industry experts said.

The regulations will also solidify China's position as a global NEV leader while addressing safety concerns in a rapidly evolving sector.

To enhance NEV safety performance, the industry must continue efforts in battery material R&D, optimization of battery management systems and vehicle collision safety design, experts added.