China Enacts Two New EV Safety Standards, Strengthening Battery Thermal Runaway Protection and Vehicle Safety

On July 1, 2025, China officially implemented two national standards: "Safety Requirements for Electric Vehicles" (GB 18384–2025) and "Safety Requirements for Traction Batteries Used in Electric Vehicles" (GB 38031–2025). The former addresses the structural safety of the entire electric vehicle, while the latter focuses on the intrinsic safety of power batteries. The new standards impose stricter safety requirements on batteries, introducing or enhancing test items such as nail penetration, external heating, and internal heating, with clearly defined test conditions. Specifically, the "thermal runaway propagation test" stipulates that after a short circuit occurs in a single cell, the entire battery pack must not catch fire or explode, and any resulting smoke must not pose a hazard to occupants. The standards also mandate a "one-touch physical power cutoff" function to ensure high-voltage power can be rapidly disconnected in emergencies, safeguarding rescue operations and public safety. Additionally, they refine the battery pack bottom impact test methodology and fast-charging cycle safety test procedures to more scientifically evaluate battery safety under extreme operating conditions. This standard framework establishes a unified safety baseline for electric vehicles. However, it does not guarantee the complete elimination of spontaneous combustion risks; instead, it requires manufacturers to adhere to higher safety standards throughout the design and production processes.