China became the first country in the world to impose mandatory maximum energy consumption limits for electric vehicles, in an unprecedented measure that is expected to come into force in 2026. The decision marks a new phase in the regulation of the electric automobile sector and raises the question: could this model come to influence other markets, including the European one.
The initiative was advanced by Chinese media and cited by Notícias ao Minuto, which highlights the pioneering nature of the decision taken by China. The objective is to make electric cars more efficient, reduce energy waste and align tax incentives with more demanding technical criteria.
As explained by the IT Home website, cited by CCTV News and reproduced by Notícias ao Minuto, the new standards establish mandatory limits on electricity consumption depending on the weight and technical characteristics of the vehicles.
This is not just a recommendation or informative label, but a maximum ceiling that manufacturers will have to meet in order to be able to market certain models with tax benefits.
Maximum consumption defined by weight and technology
One of the examples published helps to understand the scope of the measure. A passenger car weighing up to around two tonnes, in running order, cannot exceed a consumption of 15.1 kWh per 100 kilometres. This value was defined based on the current average consumption of electric passenger cars, but also on the potential for improvement of technologies already available.
According to the same source, Chinese authorities estimate that, maintaining the same battery capacity, the application of these standards could allow an increase of around seven percent in vehicle autonomy, thanks to the optimization of systems, software and energy management.
New patterns do not emerge in isolation. They also include indicators that reflect variations in consumption in different usage scenarios, such as urban driving, highways or different climatic conditions, as well as the influence of the technical resources installed in each model.
More demanding rules than in the past
The tightening of requirements is significant. IT Home states that the new limits are around 11 percent stricter than those provided for in the previous version of Chinese standards.
In practice, this forces manufacturers to invest more in efficiency, aerodynamics, weight control and software, otherwise they risk losing competitiveness in one of the largest automotive markets in the world.
A particularly relevant point is the direct link between these consumption limits and tax incentives for acquisition. As explained by , only vehicles that comply with the new standards will be able to benefit from tax exemptions or reductions.
This rule applies not only to new models, but also to those that are currently included in the lists of exempt vehicles, which may be withdrawn if they no longer meet the criteria.
A signal for other markets?
Although the measure is, for now, exclusive to China, its impact could go beyond its borders. The country is one of the largest producers and consumers of electric vehicles worldwide, so regulatory decisions of this type tend to influence global brand strategies.
The question that arises is whether similar models could emerge in other regions, such as the European Union. To date, European legislation focuses mainly on emissions, declared autonomy and consumer information, with no mandatory maximum energy consumption limits comparable to those now defined by China.
Even so, the Chinese commitment to objective and binding technical criteria could serve as a reference in a context in which energy efficiency gains importance in public policies.
For now, this is a pioneering step, which redefines the rules of the game in the electric car market and puts efficiency at the center of the equation, not just as a commercial argument, but as a legal obligation.
Also read:
