A New Era of Regulation for Electric Vehicles
For decades, the automotive industry has been shaped by fuel consumption standards for internal combustion engines. However, when it comes to electric vehicles, formal efficiency standards have been virtually absent until now. The situation is beginning to change. New laws focused on the energy consumption of electric vehicles are coming into force in China, requiring manufacturers to create more efficient models.
The standards are developed taking into account the vehicle’s weight and set maximum energy consumption thresholds for different categories. For example, a typical passenger electric car weighing about two tons must consume no more than 15.1 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers.
This is a fairly low figure, approximately the same as can be achieved during normal daily driving in a new Tesla Model 3.
Efficiency Gains a Legal Foundation
According to local media, the new rules will be approximately 11 percent stricter than previous recommendations. Chinese authorities believe that thanks to the new efficiency standards, the average range of electric vehicles for their owners will increase by about 7 percent.
Importantly, the standards are designed to prevent the practice of manufacturers simply installing larger battery packs to increase range. Instead, the focus will shift to improving the efficiency of existing systems and designs.
The Chinese technology publication IT Home notes that this will become the world’s first mandatory regulation of electric vehicle energy consumption. The law will come into effect on January 1, 2026.
Motivation Behind the Political Decision
Work on the new standards lasted several months. In July, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the State Administration for Market Regulation held a meeting to work on the new laws, as well as new battery recycling standards.
The publication Car News China reports that many electric vehicles currently sold by major brands such as BYD and Geely already meet the new efficiency standards. Models that do not meet the requirements may require upgrades or be completely discontinued until they are brought into compliance.
The implementation of such standards could become a powerful incentive for technological breakthroughs in the electric vehicle industry not only in China but worldwide, as the Chinese market is key for global manufacturers. This will force engineers to focus on optimizing aerodynamics, reducing weight, improving electric powertrains and energy management systems, rather than simply increasing battery capacity. Similar initiatives could set a trend for other countries also seeking ways to increase transport energy efficiency as part of the fight against climate change and reducing dependence on energy resources.