New Electric Vehicle Safety Regulations Introduced: The Strictest Battery Safety Mandate in History

New Regulations for Electric Vehicles: The Strictest Battery Safety Standards Released in History

On April 22, 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced the release of the “Safety Requirements for Electric Vehicle Power Batteries” (abbreviated as “New National Standards”), which will officially come into effect on July 1, 2026. Compared to the 2020 version of the national standards, the new guidelines impose stringent mandatory requirements for battery safety, earning them the title of “The Strictest Battery Safety Standards in History.”

This new regulation aims to enhance the safety of electric vehicles, addressing concerns related to fires and explosions in new energy vehicles.

The core requirement of the new standards focuses on the safety performance of batteries, demanding stricter measures to ensure that batteries do not catch fire or explode under severe conditions. Additionally, manufacturers must provide warnings about overheating incidents to guarantee that thermal runaway will not result in harm to passengers.

The strict requirements have sparked widespread attention among manufacturers. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, as of February 2026, 36 companies in the battery and electric vehicle sectors have already achieved compliance with the new standards, with 78% of these companies confirming that their battery technologies do not catch fire or explode. Furthermore, 14% of companies are projected to implement these technologies by 2026 to 2027.

To address the challenges posed by the new standards, many electric vehicle manufacturers are working to enhance the safety of their battery technologies. The introduction of new battery technologies, including “segmented thermal management” and high-performance thermal insulation layers, aims to improve the overall safety performance of batteries. Compared to traditional battery designs, the new technologies are expected to enhance stability and safety.

Moreover, the liquid cooling technology used in modern batteries effectively prevents thermal runaway and enhances the overall safety of the battery pack.

The advancements in battery technology not only respond to the new national standards but also lay the groundwork for the future development of electric vehicles. With ongoing improvements in battery safety, consumer confidence in electric vehicles is expected to rise.

As the new regulations roll out, they are anticipated to have a profound impact on the electric vehicle market. According to the regulations, for new battery models that require further revision, the implementation will take place on July 1, 2026. For existing models that have already been certified, the new regulations will come into effect on July 1, 2027. This means that existing models will have a transitional period of one year to comply with the revisions or exit the market. The predictions for the second half of 2026 indicate that battery prices are expected to decrease.

Industry analysts suggest that to enhance battery safety, both design and manufacturing processes will require multiple revisions. This will likely lead to an increase in production costs, which could directly affect the prices of electric vehicles in the market.

In conclusion, the implementation of these stringent standards is a significant step towards ensuring the safety and reliability of electric vehicles, ultimately fostering greater consumer trust in this growing industry.