China is set to impose the world’s first mandatory energy efficiency standard for electric vehicles (EVs) starting 1st January 2026, according to an IT Home report citing CCTV News. The regulation, formally titled “Energy Consumption Limits for Electric Vehicles Part 1: Passenger Cars” (GB 36980.1—2025), will introduce binding electricity consumption limits based on vehicle weight.
The new standard essentially sets a maximum energy consumption limit specifically for pure EVs (not applicable to hybrids and range-extenders). For passenger EVs weighing below two tonnes, they must not exceed an energy consumption limit of 15.1 kWh/100 km. This new mandatory framework represents a shift that is approximately 11% stricter than the previous guidelines.
By tying these limits to a vehicle’s weight, the regulation ensures that heavier EVs are held to the same efficiency levels as smaller EVs, thus preventing manufacturers from simply adding larger batteries to compensate for poor energy efficiency.
To drive this change, the Ministry of Finance and other Chinese regulators have also announced updated technical requirements for EVs, which would require them to meet the new energy consumption limits in order to qualify for purchase tax exemptions in 2026 and 2027.
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The standards will also be applied retroactively to existing models already on sale. Relevant authorities are conducting a comprehensive audit of the current vehicle purchase tax exemption catalogue, and any models that are not compliant with the new limits will be removed from eligibility. This ensures that government support is reserved strictly for the most efficient vehicles on the market.
As such, carmakers will be required to perform technical updates on newly produced vehicles to benefit from the tax breaks. With the battery pack sizes effectively restricted, carmakers will have to apply technical refinements to the drivetrain, thermal management, and enhanced aerodynamics in order to meet the target.
The changes are expected to increase the average driving range by approximately 7%, according to IT Home.
The overall policy package will also extend to hybrids. For a plug-in hybrid to remain eligible for tax incentives, its minimum pure electric driving range must now reach 100 km, representing a significant increase from the previous requirement of 43 km. Furthermore, these vehicles must also adhere to stricter fuel consumption standards when the battery pack is depleted.
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