China's Automotive Standardization Research Institute confirmed that the "smart drive blue light" is outside GB 4785 national standards, posing glare and safety risks. Relevant regulations are being revised and new models are prohibited from installing it.
Controversy Origin and Policy Response
A recent industry report that "smart drive blue lights will be banned" has triggered widespread attention. The China Automotive Standardization Research Institute promptly responded, clarifying that the blue indicator lights installed on some NEVs are indeed outside the scope of relevant national standards and pose safety hazards. Standards revision is now underway. The so-called "smart drive blue light" refers to blue external LED strips mounted on vehicle roofs, side mirrors, or rear sections to indicate when advanced driver assistance systems are active. EX1000.COM notes that this seemingly minor lighting feature reflects the deeper tension between product innovation and regulatory lag in the intelligent driving era. Key controversies include:
- Blue lights lack legal basis under current national standards
- Blue wavelength is not among permitted vehicle light colors
- Widespread installation on L2-capable vehicles creates public misperception
Safety Risk Analysis
The institute detailed multiple safety risks posed by blue lights:
- Glare Disturbance: Nighttime blue lights cause glare for other road users, particularly interfering with surrounding drivers' judgment of road conditions
- Encouraging Unsafe Behavior: Vehicles with blue lights are more likely to be cut off or tailgated closely by other drivers
- Public Misunderstanding: Mass installation on L2-only vehicles creates widespread confusion that "blue light = autonomous driving"
Under the current GB 4785-2019 standard, permitted external vehicle light colors are strictly limited to white, amber yellow, and red. Blue and cyan are not authorized. The standard lists 26 types of legal vehicle lights, but "ADAS indicator lights" are not among them.
Standard Revision and Management Measures
The National Automotive Standardization Technical Committee is revising GB 4785 (Project No. 20262535-Q-339) under ministry guidance. Meanwhile, enforcement measures are being rolled out:
- Starting from MIIT Announcement No. 410, inspection agencies will reject product certifications for vehicles with blue lights
- The standards committee will issue supplementary requirements to GB 4785
- Enhanced pre-market review and testing verification for "aggressive" product designs
Internationally, UN/WP.29 working groups GRE and GRVA are also studying blue lights, with safety benefits and risks still under debate.
Industry Impact and Outlook
| Dimension | Current Status | Future Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Basis | Not covered by GB 4785-2019 | Under revision, Project 20262535-Q-339 |
| Color Permission | White/Amber/Red only | Blue remains unauthorized |
| OEM Response | Some have installed | Banned on new models |
| Global Coordination | UN/WP.29 studying | Convergence ongoing |
Some OEMs have already acted. Yijing Auto's GM stated immediate compliance measures were taken. NIO's VP also acknowledged that some blue lights are "brighter than tail lights," confirming safety concerns.
