China Passes Law On How Much Electricity An EV Can Consume

China has taken another step in regulating electric mobility by approving the first mandatory energy efficiency standard for electric passenger cars. The regulation, which came into effect on January 1, 2026, replaces the previous framework and has direct legal force on all newly produced models.

The goal is to improve the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle fleet. The standard, officially called Energy Consumption Limits for Electric Vehicles, sets limits on electricity consumption differentiated by vehicle weight and technical characteristics.

According to Chinese regulators, these values ​​were set after assessing the current consumption of electric passenger cars, the potential of energy-saving technologies, etc. Compared to the previous version, the new standard reduces the consumption thresholds by approximately 11%. It also introduces indicators adapted to different usage scenarios and technical solutions, with the aim of guiding product development and the implementation of new efficiency systems.

For vehicles weighing up to two tonnes, the requirement sets a maximum consumption of 15.1 kWh/100 km. The authorities estimate that these technical adjustments will allow, with the same battery capacity, an increase in average range of around 7%, thanks to reduced energy consumption. The standard applies exclusively to electric vehicles, excluding plug-in hybrids and vehicles with extended range, the requirements for which are being prepared in a separate regulatory package.

The Chinese government has linked the new consumption limits to access to purchase tax exemptions for 2026 and 2027. In other words, to keep these subsidies, electric cars will have to meet a mandatory standard. For manufacturers like BYD or Geely, whose latest electric models already boast low energy consumption, the transition will be relatively smooth. Brands with products that exceed the new limits will have to introduce technical improvements or redesign certain versions.

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