New Era of Safety: China’s Mandatory EV Battery Standards Set for July 2026, Mandate 2-Hour Fire Resistanc

Updated GB38031-2025 regulation transforms battery safety with stringent thermal runaway and impact tests, shaping the future for electric vehicles and new energy cars.

The landscape for electric vehicle (EV) battery safety is undergoing a monumental shift. Chinese authorities have formally announced the GB38031-2025 “Safety Requirements for Traction Battery of Electric Vehicle,” a pivotal update that will become mandatory from July 1, 2026. Dubbed the “strictest battery safety order ever,” this revision upgrades the “no fire, no explosion” benchmark from a recommendation to an absolute compulsory requirement for every battery car entering the market. This move is poised to fundamentally enhance the trust and security surrounding new energy cars globally.

Decoding the “2-Hour Rule”: A Technical Leap Forward

The most talked-about change is the dramatic extension of the post-thermal-runaway safety period. While the previous 2020 standard required a battery pack to resist fire and explosion for at least 5 minutes after thermal runaway initiation, the new regulation demands a robust 2-hour observation period. That’s a game-changer. During this entire window, the battery system must not ignite or explode (while still being required to alert occupants), and critically, the temperature at all monitoring points must not exceed 60°C. This extended timeframe is not just a number—it’s a lifeline, designed to give occupants ample time to safely exit the vehicle and for emergency responders to arrive. This mandate will undoubtedly push manufacturers to innovate in thermal management and cell isolation technologies for every automobile developed under this regime.

Beyond Heat: Introducing the Rigorous Bottom Impact Test

Safety isn’t only about internal failures; external threats are equally critical. The updated standard introduces a rigorous new bottom collision test, addressing a common real-world hazard. The test involves striking the battery pack casing with a 30mm diameter steel sphere imparting 150 joules of energy—simulating impacts from road debris or harsh bumps. To pass, the battery must show no leakage, no fire, and no explosion. This test will influence fundamental vehicle design, potentially affecting ground clearance and underbody protection for modern electric vehicle models. It may also encourage more integrated battery chassis designs, where the pack contributes to structural rigidity, indirectly optimizing interior cabin space by allowing for more efficient packaging.

Implications for Vehicle Design, Configuration, and Consumer Choice

The ramifications of this new national standard extend far beyond the battery lab. For electric vehicle engineers, it necessitates a holistic review of battery pack integration. The quest for superior thermal containment and impact resistance could influence overall car dimensions. We might see slightly thicker platform floors or redesigned cooling channels, which engineers will strive to offset to preserve precious interior passenger and cargo space. For consumers, this translates into the next generation of new energy car models being inherently safer. Think of it as a significant, albeit invisible, upgrade in configuration. When shopping for a battery car, specs related to thermal management systems and structural battery design will become as scrutinized as range estimates. This regulation effectively raises the base level of safety for all automobiles in this category, making the entire market more reliable.