As electric vehicles continue to develop, China is strengthening its position by setting new energy standards for its electric cars. This regulation, stricter than ever, could well redefine the automotive landscape not only in China but also internationally. Discover how this measure could impact the global automotive industry.
The 3 key points not to miss
- China introduces the GB 36980.1-2025 standard, which imposes a maximum energy consumption limit for electric cars based on their weight.
- This regulation will apply from January 1, 2026 and will influence eligibility for tax benefits for electric vehicles.
- Unlike Europe and the United States, China imposes a regulation that restricts the sale of vehicles exceeding a certain energy consumption.
Energy standards and implications for manufacturers
The new GB 36980.1-2025 regulation imposes strict limits on the energy consumption of electric cars, based on their curb weight. Chinese authorities have thus established consumption ceilings in kWh/100 km, according to the Chinese CLTC homologation cycle. For example, for vehicles weighing around 2 tons, the maximum allowed consumption is set at 15.1 kWh/100 km.
This standard, more demanding than the previous one, is no longer a simple recommendation but a legal obligation. Manufacturers must comply with these requirements or risk having their models ineligible for sale on the Chinese market.
Possible impacts on the global automotive market
Although this regulation is specific to the Chinese market, it could have global repercussions. International manufacturers present in China will have to make technical choices to comply with these new requirements. This could include aerodynamic optimization, improving engine efficiency, or reducing vehicle weight.
These technical adaptations could eventually influence models intended for other markets such as Europe or North America, where current standards focus more on information and comparison than on a strict limitation of energy consumption.
Tax benefits and future prospects
Compliance with these new standards will be a determining criterion for obtaining tax benefits in China, which will be available from 2026 to 2027. However, these benefits will be halved compared to previous years, making energy efficiency even more crucial for manufacturers.
In the long term, this initiative could encourage other markets to adopt similar policies, thereby reinforcing the importance of energy efficiency in the development of electric vehicles on a global scale.
History of automotive regulation in China
China has always been proactive in regulating its automotive market, particularly concerning electric vehicles. For several years, the country has implemented incentive policies to stimulate the adoption of electric cars, thus becoming the largest global market for these vehicles.
With policies such as electric vehicle production quotas and government subsidies, China has been able to steer the automotive industry towards innovation and sustainability. The implementation of strict energy consumption standards is part of this overall strategy aimed at reducing the carbon footprint and promoting green technologies.