New Battery Standards for Electric Vehicles Set to Take Effect in July 2026: Should You Wait to Buy?

Are you considering purchasing an electric vehicle next year? The strictest battery standards in history will come into effect in July 2026. Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published the “Safety Requirements for Power Batteries for Electric Vehicles” (GB38031-2025), which is being hailed as the most rigorous national standard to date. This new standard sets clear and stringent requirements for batteries to ensure they do not catch fire or explode. However, it is important to note that manufacturers will continue to operate under the old standards until June 2026.

So, should you wait until next year to buy an electric vehicle? Let’s first explore why this new standard is considered the most stringent. The previous standard required that batteries provide an alarm signal within five minutes after thermal runaway occurs, but it did not mandate that batteries must be fire-resistant or explosion-proof. In contrast, the new standard stipulates that there must be no fire or explosion for at least two hours following thermal runaway, and that temperatures at all monitoring points must not exceed 60°C.

Secondly, while the old standard required a five-minute alarm before dangerous conditions in the passenger compartment arose, the new standard demands that no smoke should enter the passenger compartment during the five minutes before and after the alarm is triggered. Furthermore, the previous standard did not have specific requirements regarding bottom impacts or battery cycles. The new standard introduces bottom impact tests simulating a speed of 50 km/h and requires that batteries show no performance degradation or safety hazards after 300 fast charge cycles.

Clearly, the new battery regulations provide explicit guidelines for battery safety, thermal runaway containment, and battery lifespan. It is expected that these new guidelines will significantly reduce incidents of fires caused by collisions in electric vehicles.

Now, back to the question of whether to wait until next year to purchase an electric vehicle. In my opinion, it may not be necessary. While the national standard will be enforced in July, many battery standards already meet the new requirements. Numerous automotive brands prioritize battery safety in their presentations, with many surpassing the current national standards. Several companies have conducted rigorous tests, including drop tests and puncture tests, indicating they already comply with the new regulations. Thus, the new national battery standard primarily raises the safety baseline, compelling companies that do not meet the standards to upgrade their technologies or face obsolescence, rather than setting an upper limit on battery safety.

Moreover, even if batteries are produced according to the new national standard, this does not guarantee absolute safety. All battery safety tests are conducted in controlled environments, and real-world scenarios can introduce many unpredictable factors. This is why, despite comprehensive testing, incidents of fires or injuries can still occur during actual traffic accidents.

Additionally, the purpose of the new standards is to phase out outdated technologies and companies rather than impose restrictions on battery safety. Meeting the new safety standards will likely increase production costs. However, this added financial burden will not significantly impact larger, more established brands, while smaller companies with lower safety measures may struggle. Consequently, these smaller enterprises may face elimination, acquisition, or the need to innovate by next year. Thus, these standards are more beneficial to the companies than to consumers.

If you are already considering buying an electric vehicle, feel confident in your decision. As long as you opt for a reputable brand of batteries, it is highly likely that their products will meet next year’s national standards.