China wants to rein in the wild acceleration of electric cars
China has opened a public debate that could upend the logic of modern carmaking. The core idea is almost sober. No car should reach 100 kilometres per hour in less than five seconds. Officials responsible for national safety argue that the rule would soften the severity of crashes and nudge drivers toward saner habits. For some enthusiasts it lands like a bucket of cold water.
Acceleration times sell. Even the most junior marketing intern knows that. China’s ministry, however, sees a growing hazard. The proposal does not demand weaker motors. The limit applies to the factory setting. Carmakers would need to install an electronic governor that keeps the car at a minimum of five seconds to reach 100. Full power would remain available, although it would take deliberate extra steps from the driver.
It is an approach that fits the country’s usual style. The power stays in place, but the state wants a guarantee that nobody unleashes it at random.
Software to stop pedal mix ups
The next change tackles a classic cause of minor accidents. Drivers sometimes hit the accelerator when they mean to brake. Beijing wants to make preventative software compulsory. The system would block sudden throttle inputs when the car is stationary or barely moving.
Many manufacturers have tested similar ideas already, but China intends to make it mandatory. Fewer mistakes, fewer visits to the body shop.
Technical rules for electric models
The electric category brings sharper detail. Every mass produced electric car would need to cut battery power immediately after detecting an external impact. The reaction time is expected to be about 150 milliseconds. The car would also have to alert the driver if individual battery cells behave in unusual ways.
Infotainment systems will not escape the new regime either. Video images must disappear from the screen once the car exceeds ten kilometres per hour. China does not want drivers watching cartoons in traffic.
Officials have not said when the new rules will take effect. One clue comes from the same consultation package, which includes a standard for pop out door handles that could arrive in 2027. It signals how seriously the state is updating its technical rulebook.
A global pushback against runaway performance
China’s move aligns with a broader trend. Governments everywhere are looking for ways to calm the explosive performance of modern electric cars. Europe has debated limits for years, although nobody has had the nerve to implement them. China is not shy. It goes straight to the heart of the technology. If the rules pass, they will alter export strategies. Manufacturers would need two different setups, one for domestic regulation and one for overseas markets. China shifts from being the biggest producer to being a trend setter.
The entire plan raises an awkward question for the industry. Is every shaved tenth of a second still worth the trouble. Car makers will be arguing about that for a long time.
