- China plans to strengthen EV and battery safety standards while advancing charging and battery swapping regulations.
- The 2026 work plan expands focus on automotive AI, connected vehicles, chips and future mobility technologies.
China has outlined an ambitious roadmap for automotive standardization through its 2026 Automotive Standardization Work Plan, released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on May 26. The plan aims to strengthen and refine standards across several strategic automotive sectors, including intelligent connected vehicles, automotive semiconductors, New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), and low-carbon automotive development. The initiative highlights the importance of establishing comprehensive standard systems that support emerging technologies while improving industry quality, safety, and competitiveness.
Focus on Key Automotive Standard Systems
The work plan emphasizes continued improvement and implementation of standard systems in multiple high-priority domains. Particular attention will be given to automotive quality and reliability frameworks as well as standards related to solid-state batteries for NEVs. Authorities also intend to update and enhance sub-standard systems covering data governance, data application, and automotive artificial intelligence. In addition, research activities will be expanded to address standards for cutting-edge automotive technologies expected to influence future industry development.
Stronger Safety Standards for Electric Vehicles
Improving safety remains a central objective of the new plan. The framework calls for the continued enhancement of safety requirements for electric vehicles and power batteries. Alongside safety improvements, performance standards for critical components such as power batteries and electric drive motors will be optimized. Regulators will also accelerate the formulation and revision of standards governing EV charging systems and battery swapping technologies, supporting broader adoption and operational consistency across the electric mobility ecosystem.
Priority Areas for Standards Development
The following areas have been identified for accelerated standards development and revision:
- Driving automation technologies
- Vehicle connectivity functions and applications
- Information and data security
- Resource management and information services
- Automotive software systems
- Automotive data management
- Vehicle-road-cloud integration
- Automotive electronics and semiconductor components
Key Areas Covered Under the 2026 Work Plan
| Focus Area | Key Objective |
|---|---|
| NEV Standards | Enhance safety, performance and battery technologies |
| Automotive AI | Improve governance, applications and future standards |
| Connected Vehicles | Advance connectivity and automation frameworks |
| Charging & Battery Swapping | Develop and revise infrastructure standards |
| Automotive Chips | Establish standards for key electronic components |
Preparing Standards for Future Automotive Industries
The plan also introduces a forward-looking approach toward future industrial sectors. Policymakers will conduct advance planning for standards related to automotive artificial intelligence and new-form vehicles. Ongoing information monitoring, technology identification and evaluation activities will help assess emerging products, technologies and market trends. The initiative is designed to support the commercialization of innovative developments while ensuring that standardization keeps pace with rapid technological change. Research on standard-led technological innovation projects will continue as a long-term effort to strengthen the automotive industry's future readiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main objective of China’s 2026 Automotive Standardization Work Plan?
The primary objective is to strengthen automotive standards across critical technology areas while supporting innovation, safety and industry modernization. The plan focuses on intelligent connected vehicles, automotive chips, New Energy Vehicles, charging infrastructure, battery swapping, automotive AI and low-carbon development. It also seeks to improve quality and reliability frameworks, enhance data governance systems, support commercialization of emerging technologies and establish standards that align with future automotive industry requirements.
Which technologies receive the highest priority under the plan?
Several advanced technologies are prioritized within the 2026 framework to support the next phase of automotive development. These include driving automation, connected vehicle functions, vehicle-road-cloud integration, automotive software, data security, automotive artificial intelligence, semiconductor components, solid-state batteries and EV charging technologies. The plan also supports future mobility concepts through ongoing research, technology monitoring and standards development activities intended to guide industry growth and technological adoption.
How does the plan support electric vehicle development?
The plan supports electric vehicle development by strengthening safety requirements for EVs and power batteries while improving performance standards for key components such as batteries and drive motors. It also advances the formulation and revision of standards for charging infrastructure and battery swapping systems. These measures are intended to improve reliability, safety, interoperability and operational efficiency across the broader electric mobility ecosystem while supporting continued market expansion.
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