China’s Ministry of Business and Info Expertise (MIIT) has introduced new necessary nationwide security requirements for electrical automobile batteries that can take impact on July 1, 2026. The up to date regulation GB38031-2025 “Security Necessities for Energy Batteries of Electrical Autos” represents the world’s first normal requiring batteries to forestall fireplace and explosion even after inside thermal runaway happens.
Probably the most vital change within the new normal is the thermal diffusion check requirement. Whereas the earlier normal solely required a warning sign 5 minutes earlier than fireplace or explosion, the up to date regulation mandates that batteries should not catch fireplace or explode, even throughout thermal runaway occasions. Moreover, any smoke generated should not hurt automobile occupants.
The usual additionally introduces new checks, together with:
- Backside impression testing to guage battery safety capabilities when the underside experiences a collision
- Quick-charging cycle security testing requires batteries to resist 300 fast-charging cycles with out fireplace or explosion throughout subsequent short-circuit checks
Business specialists imagine these stringent necessities will considerably improve client security whereas accelerating trade consolidation. Main producers like CATL declare they’ve already developed applied sciences that meet the brand new requirements. CATL states that their first-generation No Thermal Propagation (NP) know-how has been produced since 2020.
“The brand new normal will successfully cut back the danger of energy battery fires after collisions in new power autos, higher defending customers’ lives,” mentioned a CATL consultant, emphasising that assembly these necessities calls for collaboration between automakers and battery producers.
The timing of this announcement follows intently behind a high-profile accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 electrical automobile that caught fireplace after a collision in March. Nevertheless, the reason for that incident stays underneath investigation.
Business specialists imagine the brand new nationwide normal safeguards battery security by means of rigorous testing protocols, considerably assuaging public issues about spontaneous combustion dangers in electrical autos. Whereas these rules might improve R&D prices for small and medium-sized enterprises and probably set off short-term market consolidation, the trade’s long-term advantages are substantial. Enhanced security efficiency will finally cut back hidden prices associated to insurance coverage and upkeep, creating higher worth alternatives throughout the sector.
Supply: GOV.cn
