China issues new vehicle dimension standards to support autonomous driving

China's State Administration for Market Regulation has approved the new mandatory national standard GB 1589-2026, which governs the external dimensions, axle loads, and mass limits for cars, trailers, and vehicle combinations. The new regulation is set to be implemented in phases, applying to new type approvals starting July 1, 2027, and to previously approved models starting January 1, 2028.

A key feature of the update is the accommodation of intelligent connected vehicle technologies. The standard introduces new exemption rules for the external dimensions of sensors, including radar, cameras, and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) antennas. By relaxing limits on local protrusions, the regulation aims to support blind-spot monitoring, autonomous driving perception, and vehicle-road coordination.

Additional changes include: - Increased axle load limits for single axles with single tires on each side, rising from 7,000 kg to 8,000 kg to assist with the weight distribution of new energy commercial vehicles. - New definitions and length limits for streamlined semi-trailer tractors and articulated vehicles to promote fuel efficiency and carbon reduction. - Increased length limits for articulated vehicles transporting 45-foot containers, rising from 17.1 meters to 17.3 meters to improve transport efficiency.