by The Era of Fast Electric Cars and New Restrictions
The era of electric vehicles has brought with it numerous cars capable of accelerating from a standstill incredibly quickly. However, a new draft regulation in China plans to significantly slow down this development. According to the draft National Standard, all passenger cars must take at least five seconds to reach a speed of 100 km/h after each engine start.
Key Provisions of the Draft
Technical Details and Safety Initiatives
The draft, titled “Technical Specifications for Vehicles in Operation on Roads,” is part of a broader initiative regarding safety and road behavior in China. It is intended to replace the current GB 7258-2017 standard, which did not include such restrictions.
Section 10.5.4 of the new proposal states:
“After each activation/ignition of a passenger vehicle (excluding automatic engine start-stop), the vehicle must be in a state where the acceleration time to 100 km/h is not less than 5 seconds.”
Software Performance Limitation
The post-startup performance limitation mode might be similar to an eco-mode, which limits power in most electric cars, and will be managed by software. Of course, drivers will be able to choose a faster mode, but they will have to repeat this process each time the car is started. A similar approach is already in effect in Europe, where speed limit warnings need to be manually turned off.
Impact on Fast-Accelerating Electric Vehicles
If the rule is approved, it will apply to all passenger cars in China, regardless of the type of powertrain. However, it will most affect the rapidly growing fleet of super-fast electric cars. For example, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra accelerates to 100 km/h in 1.98 seconds, the Zeekr 001 FR in 2.02 seconds, the Tesla Model S Plaid in 2.1 seconds, and the BYD Yangwang U9 in 2.36 seconds.
Speed Warning for Long Cars
In another draft titled “Safety Specifications for Vehicles in Operation on Roads,” Chinese regulators proposed another speed-related rule, this time for longer models.
Section 10.5.1 states:
“Passenger vehicles with a length of 6 m and more must have a speed warning function capable of activating a warning via visual or audible signals when the speed exceeds the maximum permitted (the maximum permitted speed must not exceed 100 km/h), except for those having corresponding speed limitation functions or devices.”
Consequences for Long Cars
Although the largest minivans and flagship SUVs do not reach the 6 m threshold, this rule could apply to stretched limousines. Another ‘victim’ could be the previous generation Rolls-Royce Phantom VII with an extended wheelbase, which had a length of 6,092 mm, although its successor became shorter at 5,982 mm.
These proposals reflect growing concerns about road safety in connection with technological breakthroughs in the automotive industry. The implementation of such standards could contribute to a reduction in accidents, especially in urban traffic conditions where sharp accelerations sometimes lead to dangerous situations. Furthermore, it may stimulate manufacturers to develop more intelligent performance control systems that balance dynamics and safety.
