New National Standards for Traction Batteries to Take Effect in 2026

[Policy Upgrade] Starting July 1, 2026, two mandatory national standards—GB 38031-2025 and GB 18384-2025—will officially come into force, replacing the 2020 versions.

Core Development: Safety Baseline Upgraded from "5-Minute Escape" to "Zero Fire, No Explosion"

GB 38031-2025 explicitly requires that after thermal runaway of a cell, the battery system must neither catch fire nor explode, and toxic smoke must be strictly prevented from entering the passenger compartment. Compared to the previous standard, which only mandated a 5-minute warning period for evacuation, the new regulation directly addresses users’ primary safety concerns regarding thermal runaway risks in everyday driving scenarios—such as underbody impacts, prolonged exposure to high temperatures, and DC fast charging.

Industry Impact: Accelerating the Shift from "Unregulated Growth" to "High-Quality Compliance"

Developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and officially approved on March 28, 2025, this standard is regarded as the "strictest battery safety regulation in history." It is expected to bridge the trust gap between consumers and electric vehicle safety, thereby promoting rational and sustainable market growth.