China addresses EV battery safety standards and recycling waste challenges

China is addressing critical safety and environmental challenges associated with the lifecycle of electric vehicle (EV) power batteries. To combat concerns regarding battery safety as they age, the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute, in collaboration with entities including Huawei, CATL, and BYD, has released a new group standard (T/CPQS A0065—2026). This standard provides testing methods to simulate the safety of batteries after long-term aging, shifting the industry focus from factory inspections to continuous safety throughout the battery's operational life.

Simultaneously, the industry faces a looming waste crisis. It is estimated that China will generate over 1 million tons of retired power batteries annually by 2030. Currently, the recycling infrastructure is insufficient, leading to a significant portion of retired batteries entering unregulated “small workshop” channels. These informal disassembly processes pose severe risks, including environmental pollution from heavy metals like nickel and cobalt, and increased fire or explosion hazards. Furthermore, many retired cells are being repurposed for electric two-wheelers, contributing to a high rate of fires in that sector due to inconsistent battery performance.