Surge in Illegal EV Modifications Due to Battery Degradation Sparks Safety Concerns

Recently, a large number of China's new-energy commercial vehicles have experienced significant battery degradation—30% to 40% within just three to four years due to intensive usage, with some batteries dropping below 60% state-of-health, severely reducing driving range. Faced with high original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) battery replacement costs of RMB 50,000–60,000, over 80% of ride-hailing and delivery drivers have turned to low-cost, unauthorized modifications, such as adding extra battery packs or range extenders (starting at around RMB 16,000 per set). However, these modifications are illegal: they fail annual vehicle inspections and may lead to insurance claim denials after accidents. More dangerously, such illegal retrofits lack OEM-grade thermal management and Battery Management System (BMS) integration, increasing the risk of thermal runaway, cell swelling, and structural damage to the vehicle—all of which significantly heighten accident risks. While automakers have yet to offer official solutions due to high compliance costs and complex warranty issues, the Chinese government has already designated automotive modification as a key emerging industry for development, with relevant regulatory policies and technical standards now being accelerated.