Three mandatory national standards on electric vehicles were released by SAMR and SAC in May, which are the first of its kind in China developed with the leading efforts of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) according to the requirements of the Medium and Long Term Development Plan of Automobile Industry, and the Development Plan of Energy Conservation and New Energy Vehicle Industry (2012-2020), two national plans of the State Council.

These standards define the safety requirements of parts, system and finished electric vehicle and electric bus. The main contents of the standards are geared to the UN GTR No.20 on electric vehicle safety and some requirements are stricter than international regulations.

GB 18384-2020, Electric vehicles safety requirements, mainly stipulates the electrical and functional safety of electric vehicles, and intensifies the requirements on thermal runaway alarm and waterproof performance of finished vehicle to minimize safety risks.

On this basis, GB 38032-2020, Electric buses safety requirements, puts forward stricter requirements on flame-retardant interior decoration, vehicle structure, charging system, vehicle control and system waterproof. And GB 38031-2020, Electric vehicles traction battery safety requirements, defines the mechanical, electrical and functional safety requirements of traction battery.

In recent years, China has witnessed rapid development of electric vehicle industry with world leading production and sales. In 2019 alone, 1.242 million and 1.206 million electric vehicles were produced and sold respectively.

These standards, which will be implemented since 2021, are expected to further promote technological progress, improve the overall safety level of the industry and ensure the security of lives and property of the people.