China Sets First EV Energy Consumption "Red Line," Threatening 10% of Models with Exit

On March 4, China officially implemented the world's first mandatory national standard on energy consumption for electric vehicles—“Limits of Energy Consumption for Electric Vehicles – Part 1: Passenger Cars.” The new regulation sets tiered upper limits on electricity consumption based on vehicle weight. For mainstream battery-electric vehicles weighing around 2 tons, the maximum allowable energy consumption per 100 kilometers has been reduced from 16.9 kWh to 15.1 kWh—a tightening of 11% overall. Non-compliant models will no longer qualify for purchase tax exemptions and will be barred from official announcements, sales, or license plate registration. Existing approved models are granted a two-year transition period, with full enforcement beginning in 2028. This move aims to curb the trend of increasingly heavier electric vehicles—currently, battery-electric cars are generally over 30% heavier than their internal combustion engine counterparts of similar size, primarily due to excessive battery installations. Experts warn that increased vehicle weight not only compromises crash safety and raises the risk of battery fires but also shortens tire lifespan. According to Tesla data, reducing vehicle weight by 10% can increase driving range by 5%–6%. Industry analysts estimate that approximately 10% of existing electric vehicle models now face the risk of being phased out.