China tightens quality controls for electric vehicles

China is tightening quality controls for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) by increasing mandatory durability testing from 15,000 km to 30,000 km, matching standards for internal combustion engine vehicles. This move aims to address reliability concerns as Chinese automakers accelerate development cycles to compete in a rapidly changing market.

Industry leaders have noted that while traditional vehicles often require 36 months for development, many NEVs are being brought to market in just 18 months. This rapid pace has led to concerns regarding the thoroughness of testing. In the first five months of 2026, an average of 3.6 new models were launched daily in China.

Data from the quality complaint platform Chezhiwang shows a significant rise in issues, with valid complaints increasing by 83.4% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026. Key technical issues include power battery failures, over-the-air (OTA) update errors, and discrepancies in driver-assistance system performance. Specifically, GAC Aion faced scrutiny over battery cell issues in vehicles using CALB components, leading the company to extend battery warranties to eight years or 300,000 km.