The new national standard for electric vehicle batteries will take effect on July 1, 2026. According to a report from Beijing on April 15, 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has released the mandatory national standard titled “Safety Requirements for Power Storage Batteries Used in Electric Vehicles” (GB38031-2025).
This revised standard includes several significant updates. It revises the thermal diffusion testing criteria, providing clearer specifications regarding the temperature of the batteries under test, their operational states, observation times, and full vehicle testing conditions. The technical requirements have shifted from previously needing to provide thermal event alarm signals within five minutes before fire or explosion to preventing fires and explosions altogether (while still requiring alarm signals) and ensuring that smoke does not harm occupants.
Additionally, a new bottom impact test has been introduced to assess the protective capabilities of the battery when subjected to a bottom impact. There is also a new safety test after fast charging cycles, which includes external short circuit tests after 300 fast charging cycles, with the requirement that there should be no fire or explosion.
The updated version clarifies that this standard applies specifically to power batteries used in electric vehicles, excluding non-drive batteries. It also enhances the insulation resistance requirements by adding specifications for the insulation resistance of battery systems that include alternating current circuits, and it improves the extrusion testing requirements by adding conditions for determining insulation resistance.
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