Relax, China Isn’t Banning Fast EVs
Reports of the death of insane EV acceleration in China have been greatly exaggerated. After a draft national safety standard sent ripples of panic across social media, China’s Ministry of Public Security stepped in to clear the air. Officials clarified that they are not, in fact, outlawing EVs that can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in under five seconds. The whole controversy, as reported by IT-Home, boils down to a simple misreading of the proposed rule.
It’s All About the “Default Start-Up”
The confusion started with a clause in a draft update to the “Technical Conditions for Motor Vehicle Operation Safety.” The text proposed that passenger vehicles must default to a driving mode where 0-100 km/h acceleration takes at least five seconds every time you power them on. This was quickly misinterpreted, and soon the topic “EV acceleration performance banned” was trending.
However, officials from the ministry explained that the key phrase is “default start-up.” The rule only governs the car’s initial mode when you first turn it on. It’s a safety measure, not a performance restriction. Drivers can still engage sport modes or other high-performance settings with a simple tap or button press to unlock the vehicle’s full, exhilarating potential. This regulation is about managing initial torque delivery from a standstill, not neutering peak performance.
A Nod to Safety in the Age of Instant Torque
So, why introduce this rule at all? A drafting official pointed to the explosive growth of new-energy vehicles in the Chinese market. Many of these EVs, even mainstream models, deliver a powerful punch of instant torque right off the line. For drivers accustomed to the more gradual power delivery of internal combustion engines, this can be jarring and has contributed to a rise in low-speed, loss-of-control incidents. While high-performance gasoline cars have similar capabilities, their market share is much smaller.
Blistering acceleration is still very much on the menu for Chinese EVs. Performance branding is a key differentiator, with models like Xiaomi’s SU7 Max hitting 100 km/h in a mind-bending 2.78 seconds, and BYD’s Han L EV doing it in just 2.7 seconds. Geely’s Galaxy E8 isn’t far behind at 3.49 seconds. This proposed 5-second rule won’t change that.
Broader Safety Regulations on the Horizon
The draft includes several other safety provisions aimed at modernizing vehicle standards for the EV era. These proposals show a comprehensive approach to safety, not just a focus on speed.
Key highlights include:
- Standardizing One-Pedal Driving: Requirements for “A-type” regenerative braking systems to create more predictable behavior across different models.
- Pedal Misapplication Systems: Mandatory systems to prevent unintended acceleration when the car is stationary or creeping. If the system detects a mistaken input, it will limit power and issue an alert.
- In-Car Distraction: In-car screens must automatically disable video playback and gaming functions once the vehicle’s speed exceeds 10 km/h.
- Battery Safety: Power batteries must adhere to national standard GB 38031 and feature structures for pressure relief and balancing.
For now, these rules are all part of a draft that remains in the public consultation stage. But it’s a clear signal that Chinese regulators are thinking deeply about how to keep drivers safe as vehicle technology leapfrogs into the future. The goal isn’t to spoil the fun, but to make sure it’s safe for everyone.
