China’s new EV efficiency laws will set the world’s first mandatory consumption standard, pushing automakers to build smarter, not just bigger, electric cars
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by Brad Anderson
11 minutes ago
- EVs in China must meet new consumption rules starting in 2026.
- Models that fail may be pulled from sale or updated to comply.
- Rule is said to be world’s first mandatory EV efficiency law.
Fuel economy regulations have shaped the auto industry for decades, setting benchmarks for combustion engines around the world. But when it comes to electric vehicles, formal efficiency standards have remained largely absent.
That’s beginning to change. In China, a new set of laws focused on EV energy consumption is set to take effect, requiring automakers to deliver more efficient electric models.
Read: China Is Banning Tesla-Style Door Handles
The regulations are designed around vehicle weight, assigning maximum energy usage thresholds for different categories. For example, a typical battery-electric passenger car weighing about two tons will need to consume no more than 15.1 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers.
That’s quite a low number and is around the same as you might expect to achieve in a new Tesla Model 3 during typical, everyday driving.
Efficiency Gets a Legal Backbone
According to local media, these new regulations will be approximately 11 percent stricter than the outgoing recommendations. Chinese authorities believe that thanks to the new efficiency standards, EV owners will see an increase in their average driving ranges of about 7 percent.
Importantly, the regulations are designed to prevent manufacturers from simply bolting on larger battery packs to achieve longer ranges. Instead, the focus will shift to improving the efficiency of existing systems and designs.
Chinese tech publication IT Home notes that this will be the first mandatory EV power consumption regulation in the world. The law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Behind the Policy Push
Work on the new standards has been ongoing for 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 met to work on the new laws, as well as new battery recycling standards.
Read: BMW And Porsche Just Lost China’s Luxury Market To A $100,000 Newcomer
Car News China notes that many EVs currently sold by major brands like BYD and Geely already meet the new efficiency standards. Models that fall short may need to be upgraded or pulled from production entirely until they’re brought into compliance.
Sources: IT Home, Car News China
