In April 2025, the Chinese government introduced new mandatory safety standards for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, set to take effect on July 1, 2026. The new regulations, known as GB 38031-2025, are designed to enhance safety by ensuring that EV batteries will not catch fire or explode during thermal runaway events. In addition, the regulation mandates that batteries must not emit harmful smoke that could pose a danger to vehicle occupants.
These updated standards also introduce new testing procedures, including an underside impact test to assess battery protection in the event of a collision. This change is particularly relevant as more batteries are being integrated into vehicles using the cell-to-body design approach. Batteries will also be required to endure 300 rapid charging cycles followed by a short-circuit test.
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CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, has confirmed that its Qilin battery cells and packs meet the new safety requirements, even ahead of the regulation’s official implementation.
The Qilin battery, introduced in 2022, has already been adopted by several leading EV manufacturers in China. Both NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) and LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery versions of the Qilin pack have successfully passed the tests, according to a report from the independent China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC).
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These new safety standards are expected to reinforce the position of major battery manufacturers like CATL and BYD, who are well-positioned to meet the testing and development costs associated with compliance. Smaller companies may face challenges in keeping up with the financial and technical demands of the new regulations.