China's NEV Fleet Surpasses 43 Million in 2025; Authoritative Report Debunks Nine Safety Myths

On January 26, the China Economic Information Service (CEIS) and China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (CAERI) jointly released the "2025 Report on Public Perception of New Energy Vehicle Safety," addressing nine common misconceptions about the safety of new energy vehicles (NEVs). The report states that NEVs generally perform better than internal combustion engine vehicles in collisions due to their higher body rigidity and greater weight, though battery packs require enhanced protection. It clarifies that retractable door handles are now mature and reliable, and that damage to a power battery does not necessarily lead to explosion or fire—mainstream models are equipped with protective casings and thermal runaway warning systems. Vehicle lightweighting is achieved through high-strength materials and structural optimization without compromising crash safety. Intelligent systems collect only necessary, anonymized data, and there is no inherent link between data privacy and vehicle safety. For Level 2 driver assistance systems, drivers must remain fully attentive and keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road at all times. Regular inspections of the battery, high-voltage wiring, and braking system are recommended, and maintaining the state of charge between 20% and 80% is optimal for battery health. A new national safety standard will take effect in 2027, further raising safety requirements for NEVs.