The National Auto Standardization Technical Committee issued draft regulations proposing to unify NEV reliability test mileage to no less than 30,000km. The new rules target "rushed car" practices, requiring NEV testing standards to align with traditional fuel vehicles.
Industry Chaos: How "Rushed Cars" Harm Consumers
In 2026, new car iteration speed reached unprecedented levels. "Three swords a year" has become the norm for some automakers. At the 2026 China Auto Forum, Beijing Hyundai General Manager Li Fenggang pointed out that some companies deliberately cut necessary testing procedures to speed up market entry, making consumers de facto "test drivers."
Manifestations of "rushed cars":
- Insufficient test mileage: Some models launched with less than 10,000km reliability testing
- Compressed validation cycles: Extreme environment testing significantly shortened
- Software OTA replacing hardware validation: Lowering factory verification standards
New Rules: 30,000km Reliability Test Red Line
The Committee proposes to increase NEV reliability test mileage to no less than 30,000km.
Three New Regulation Core Contents
| Test Item | Current Standard | Proposed Standard | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reliability mileage | ≥10,000km | ≥30,000km | +200% |
| High-temp test | 7 days | 14 days | +100% |
| Cold test | -20℃/7 days | -30℃/14 days | Temp ↓10℃, duration +100% |
| Altitude test | 3,000m | 4,000m | +1,000m |
| Water wading | 300mm/10min | 500mm/30min | Depth +67%, duration +200% |
Impact Analysis
| Entity Type | Current Testing Capability | Rule Impact | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leading domestic | Own test facilities, 30K+ capable | Minimal | Leverage quality reputation |
| Joint ventures | Global testing, above standard | Negligible | Highlight testing advantage |
| New forces | Partially rely on third-party | Significant | Increase investment |
| Small automakers | Weak testing capability | Survival challenge | Seek integration |
Outlook: From "Speed Race" to "Quality Marathon"
The 30,000km red line is just the beginning. Long-term, China's auto industry needs to shift from speed competition to quality endurance.
Original policy documents and expert commentary are available at EX1000.COM.
