Gasgoo Munich- On July 1, the mandatory national standard GB 38031-2025 Safety Requirements for Power Batteries for Electric Vehicles — dubbed the industry's strictest battery safety mandate — officially took effect. That same evening, Chery Automobile officially launched the Rhino Battery Safety Assurance Plan, introducing three "backstop" commitments to address consumer concerns about electric vehicle safety through concrete action.
New Standards Land: Battery Safety Shifts from "Escape" to "Fire Prevention"
July 1 marked a critical compliance milestone for China's new energy vehicle industry. Two mandatory national standards — GB 38031-2025 Safety Requirements for Power Batteries for Electric Vehicles and GB 18384-2025 Safety Requirements for Electric Vehicles — came into force simultaneously.
These represent the toughest regulations yet for power batteries and vehicle safety in China.
The new standards cover 7 cell-level tests and 17 battery pack or system evaluations, spanning industry-recognized risk scenarios such as high heat, collisions, short circuits, external fire, overcharging, and deep discharge.
Image Source: Chery
The new national standards mark a qualitative leap in safety requirements for power batteries.
For thermal propagation tests, the technical bar has been raised from the previous version's requirement to "provide a thermal event alarm signal 5 minutes before fire or explosion" to a mandate of "no fire, no explosion (alarm still required), and smoke that does not harm occupants."
The observation window has expanded from five minutes to at least two hours. Since a battery pack contains hundreds or thousands of cells, a single internal short circuit can trigger thermal runaway and a chain reaction. Under these new rules, the system must prevent fire or explosion even in such extremes.
In addition, two new, highly targeted mandatory tests have been added. First, a bottom impact test: a 10kg striker with a 30mm diameter delivers 150J of energy to three points on the battery's underside. Post-test, the battery must show no leaks, cracks, fires, or explosions. Second, a post-fast-charge safety check: batteries capable of charging from 20% to 80% in 15 minutes must withstand 300 such cycles and pass an external short-circuit test without igniting or exploding.
Under the implementation rules, starting July 1, 2026, all new EV models seeking type approval from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology must be fully compliant with the new technical requirements. Models failing these tests will be barred from approval and sale. Existing approved models have a one-year grace period, with compliance required by July 1, 2027.
The standards also mandate, for the first time, a "one-button power cut" feature. When stationary and not charging, drivers must be able to physically sever the high-voltage system with a single action. This serves as a final line of defense for occupants in extreme scenarios.
Moving from a "five-minute escape" window to "no fire, no explosion," the new standards signify a shift from passive warning to active protection. This imposes compliance hurdles far higher than anything the industry has faced before.
From White Paper to "Backstop": Chery's Safety Logic
Chery's focus on battery safety didn't start on July 1.
Back in March at the "2026 Chery Auto Battery Night," the automaker unveiled its Rhino Battery technology and a new green smart energy ecosystem. It also joined forces with the National Key Laboratory of Fire Safety, CATARC New Energy, and the State Administration for Market Regulation's Key Laboratory of Energy Storage and Power Battery Safety to release the "Global Power Battery Safety White Paper 2026."
Image Source: Chery
It marked the first time Chery had systematically outlined its deep thinking and practical approach to battery safety in a white paper format.
On the evening of July 1, Chery officially launched the Rhino Battery Safety Assurance Plan. Covering all Rhino-equipped models across its Chery, EXEED, JETOUR, and iCAR brands, the company announced three "backstop" commitments:
First, full compliance with the latest national standards. All sold and current models carrying Rhino batteries meet the new technical requirements.
Second, a battery safety pledge. If a vehicle is destroyed due to thermal runaway caused by the battery itself, Chery will compensate the owner with a new car of the same model.
Third, a lifetime warranty for the core electric components. For first-time owners using the vehicle for non-commercial purposes, Chery offers lifetime coverage for the battery, drive motor, and electronic control unit.
Notably, the new standards are mandatory primarily for models filed after July 1, giving existing approved stock a one-year grace period. By launching its plan on day one and extending the guarantee to all existing and current models, Chery is not only embracing the new rules but also directly addressing deep-seated consumer anxieties about battery safety.
From an industry perspective, Chery's move signifies more than just a corporate promise.
First, Chery's backstop strategy is building consumer trust in battery safety. Second, with the new standards raising the bar significantly, Chery is effectively turning a regulatory floor into a competitive barrier by being the first to offer such guarantees. Third, higher safety standards are forcing upgrades across the supply chain. Since the plan covers all Rhino-equipped models, the entire safety validation system — from cell selection and module design to pack integration — must be upgraded in tandem.
Behind one company's guarantee lies an entire supply chain pushed toward higher quality control standards.
The new standards are here, and the rules of the game have been rewritten. In this transition from a "five-minute escape" to "no fire, no explosion," the first player to turn safety promises into consumer trust will gain a crucial early advantage in the next phase of competition.
