China bans blue ADAS indicator lights on vehicles

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) will enforce a ban on the blue lights that signal activation of advanced driver‑assistance systems (ADAS) on passenger vehicles. The decision follows the national GB4785 standard, which permits only white, red, yellow and amber for external vehicle lighting. The ban applies to new model approvals starting in August 2026, meaning any vehicle still using the blue indicators will be ineligible for certification.

The blue lights, first introduced on the Li Auto L9 in 2022 and later adopted by manufacturers such as Aito, Xpeng, Nio and BYD, have been criticised for potentially distracting other road users and encouraging over‑reliance on autonomous functions. Automakers are expected to modify or remove the lights, possibly via over‑the‑air updates, to comply with the new regulations.