China: New GB standard for electric vehicles traction battery safety requirements
China has published a new standard: National Standard of the P.R.C., Electric vehicles traction battery safety requirements.
This document specifies the safety requirements and test methods for battery cells, battery packs or systems of traction batteries used in electric vehicles. This document applies to traction batteries for electric vehicles.
The new standard replaces the existing one GB38031-2020 “Safety Requirements for Power Batteries for Electric Vehicles”.
Compared with GB 38031-2020, in addition to structural adjustments and editorial changes, the main technical changes are as follows:
– Changed the scope (see Chapter 1, 2020 edition Chapter 1 of );
– Changed the definition of leakage (see 3.13, 2020 version of 3.13);
– Added the definition of thermal events (see 3.14);
– Added safety requirements for battery cells after fast charging and Test methods (see 5.1.7, 8.1.8)
– Added safety requirements for battery pack or system vibration (see 5.2.1, 5.2.1 of the 2020 version);
– Added safety requirements for battery pack or system mechanical impact Requirements (see 5.2.2, 5.2.2 of the 2020 edition);
– Added safety requirements for simulated collisions of battery packs or systems (see 5.2.3, 5.2.3 of the 2020 edition);
– Changed the battery pack or system Safety requirements and test methods for heat and humidity cycles (see 5.2.5 and 8.2.5, 5.2.5 and 8.2.5 in the 2020 version);
– Changed the safety requirements and test methods for thermal stability testing of battery packs or systems (see 5.2 .7, 8.2.7 and Appendix C, 5.2.7, 8.2.7 and Appendix C of the 2020 version);
– Changed the safety requirements and test methods for temperature shock of battery packs or systems (see 5.2.8 and 8.2.8 , 5.2.8 and 8.2.8 of the 2020 version);
– Changed the safety requirements and test methods for battery packs or system salt spray (see 5.2.9 and 8.2.9, 5.2.9 and 8.2.9 of the 2020 version) ;
-Changed the safety requirements for battery packs or systems at high altitudes (see 5.2.10, 5.2.10 of the 2020 version);
-Changed the safety requirements and test methods for over-temperature protection of battery packs or systems (see 5.2.11 and 8.2.11, 5.2.11 and 8.2.11 of the 2020 version);
– Changed the safety requirements for battery pack or system overcurrent protection (see 5.2.12, 5.2.12 of the 2020 version);
– Changed the battery Safety requirements for external short-circuit protection of the battery pack or system (see 5.2.13, 5.2.13 of the 2020 version);
– Changed the safety requirements for overcharge protection of the battery pack or system (see 5.2.14, 5.2.14 of the 2020 version) ;
—Changed the safety requirements for over-discharge protection of battery packs or systems (see 5.2.15, 2020 version of 5.2.15);
—Added safety requirements and test methods for battery packs or systems or bottom impact of the vehicle (see 5.2.16 and 8.2.16);
– Changed the test process error, data recording and recording interval (see 6.3 and 6.4, 6.3 and 6.4 of the 2020 version);
– Changed the heating test method (see 8.1.5, 2020 version of 8.1.5);
– Changed the test method for battery cell extrusion (see 8.1.7, 2020 version of 8.1.7);
– Changed the test method for battery pack or system extrusion (see 8.2 .4, 8.12.4 of the 2020 version);
– Changed the test method for external fire of the battery pack or system (see 8.2.7.1, 8.2.7.1 of the 2020 version).
The following documents are essential for the application of the new standard:
- GB/T 2423.4 Environmental testing of electrical and electronic products Part 2: Test method test Db Alternating damp heat (12h+12h cycle)
- GB/T 2423.17 Environmental testing of electrical and electronic products Part 2: Test method Test Ka: Salt spray
- GB/T 2423.43 Electrical and electronic products Product Environmental Testing Part 2: Test Methods Installation of Vibration, Impact and Similar Dynamics Test Samples
- GB/T 2423.56 Environmental Testing of Electrical and Electronic Products Part 2: Test Methods Test Fh: Broadband Random Vibration and Guidelines
- GB/T 4208-2017 Enclosure protection level (IP code)
- GB/T 19596 Electric vehicle terminology
- GB/T 28046.4—2011 Environmental conditions and testing of electrical and electronic equipment for road vehicles Part 4: Climatic load
The general battery cell safety requirements defined in the standard are:
- 1.1 The battery cell has been discharged according to 8.1.2 and should not catch fire or explode.
- 1.2 The battery cells are subjected to the overcharge test in accordance with 8.1.3 and should not catch fire or explode.
- 1.3 The battery cells are subjected to external short-circuit test in accordance with 8.1.4 and should not catch fire or explode.
- 1.4 The battery cells are heated and tested in accordance with
- 1.5 and should not catch fire or explode. 5.1.5 The battery cells are subjected to temperature cycle tests in accordance with
- 1.6 and should not catch fire or explode.
- 1.6 The battery cells are subjected to an extrusion test in accordance with 8.1.7 and should not catch fire or explode.
- 1.7 The battery cells shall undergo safety tests after fast charging cycles in accordance with 8.1.8 and shall not ignite or explode.
For products newly applied for type approval, it will be implemented from the implementation date of this document. For products that have obtained the type approval, the implementation will start from the 13th month from the implementation date of this document which means that the transition period to implement the requirements will be very short.
To find out more about Chinese regulations for electric vehicles and E batteries, please do not hesitate to contact the Institute for Global Automotive Regulatory Research Directly.