The Electric Vehicle Safety Requirements (GB18384-2025) and Power Battery Safety Requirements (GB38031-2025) will take effect on July 1, 2026. The new standards首次 define the one-touch power cut device as a physical disconnect, replacing software-controlled shutdowns and establishing dual defense for EV safety. National NEV ownership reached 43.97 million by end-2025, with May 2026 penetration at 56.9%. CATL Chief Scientist Wu Kai stated that after implementation, China's NEV spontaneous combustion rate will be an entire order of magnitude lower than combustion vehicles. For Central Asian and Russian markets importing Chinese NEVs, stricter safety standards mean higher safety margins for exported products, helping build trust in overseas markets.
Core Elements of the Two New Standards
The new national standard system consists of two core standards, focusing on vehicle-level safety and battery safety respectively:
| Standard Number | Standard Name | Effective Date | Core Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB18384-2025 | Electric Vehicle Safety Requirements | July 1, 2026 | Physical HV circuit disconnection, one-touch power cut defined as physical device |
| GB38031-2025 | Power Battery Safety Requirements | July 1, 2026 | Stricter testing for thermal runaway, short circuits, and collisions |
The Electric Vehicle Safety Requirements focuses on vehicle-level safety, requiring physical disconnection between high-voltage circuits and charging energy storage systems, and首次 defining one-touch power cut as a physical device. This means accident rescue no longer relies on software control—high voltage can be directly cut mechanically, significantly improving rescue reliability and speed.
The Power Battery Safety Requirements focuses on battery safety, imposing stricter testing and protection requirements for thermal runaway, short circuits, and collision scenarios. Specific requirements include:
- No fire or explosion within 5 minutes after thermal runaway onset
- No electrolyte leakage from battery pack after collision
- Short circuit protection system response time reduced to millisecond level
- New bottom-impact test added to simulate underbody strike scenarios
Industry Context: Safety Needs Growing Urgent
CAAM data shows national NEV ownership reached 43.97 million by end-2025. May 2026 NEV production and sales were 1.554 million and 1.496 million units, with 56.9% penetration. As ownership surges, safety concerns grow.
Specific manifestations of urgent safety needs include:
- Risk accumulation from surging ownership: Nearly 44 million NEVs on the road means any systemic safety vulnerability could cause large-scale impact
- Safety lag behind rapid battery tech evolution: High energy density battery adoption has outpaced safety technology maturation
- Consumer safety awareness awakening: Early adopters are giving way to mainstream consumers who prioritize safety more highly
- Social impact of accident cases: Individual spontaneous combustion incidents amplified by social media can damage trust in the entire category
CATL Chief Scientist Wu Kai stated that after new standards take effect, China's NEV spontaneous combustion rate will be an entire order of magnitude lower than traditional combustion vehicles. This assessment is based on mandatory requirements for battery pack passive protection, thermal runaway early warning, and physical power cut technologies.
Industry Impact
New standard implementation will have profound effects on China's new energy vehicle industry:
- Accelerated automaker tech upgrades: Products not meeting standards cannot be sold, forcing safety design integration from the R&D stage
- Battery supplier shakeout: Higher technical barriers for passive battery pack protection will eliminate some落后 capacity
- Consumer purchasing guidance: Buyers should look for new standard certification marks and choose models meeting latest safety standards
- Testing and certification system upgrades: Third-party testing agencies need updated equipment and methods, potentially increasing certification cycle time and costs
Predicted industry changes after new standards implementation:
| Impact Dimension | Short-term Impact (6-12 months) | Long-term Impact (1-3 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Product Launch | Some existing models need rectification, delayed launches | Safety design becomes前置 in new models |
| Cost Structure | Per-vehicle cost increase of 2,000-5,000 yuan | Scale effects摊薄 incremental costs |
| Technology Path | Physical power cut becomes standard configuration | Intelligent safety tech iteration accelerates |
| Market Competition | Leading enterprise advantages expand | Safety becomes core brand differentiation element |
Significance for Overseas Markets
Upgraded Chinese EV safety standards carry important reference value for Central Asian and Russian markets importing Chinese NEVs. Stricter safety standards mean higher safety margins for exported products, helping build trust in overseas markets.
Specific value for overseas dealers and consumers includes:
- Enhanced safety margins: GB-compliant products have higher safety coefficients in battery thermal runaway protection and physical power cut
- Brand trust building: Dealers can emphasize to consumers that Chinese NEVs meet globally leading safety standards, addressing battery safety concerns
- Reduced after-sales risk: Higher safety standards mean lower spontaneous combustion and accident probability, reducing dealer after-sales pressure and brand reputation risk
- Used vehicle residual value protection: Models meeting stricter safety standards have higher resale value in second-hand markets
Climate conditions and usage environments in Central Asia and Russia present additional challenges for new energy vehicles—extreme low temperatures, complex road conditions, and incomplete charging infrastructure can all exacerbate safety risks. The new standards' strengthened requirements for physical power cut and collision protection make exported products better adapted to these demanding conditions. Local dealers can promote new standard certification as a core selling point when presenting to consumers, effectively addressing concerns about electric vehicle safety.
