The official release of China's national standard, "Solid-State Batteries for Electric Vehicles – Part 1: Terminology and Classification" (GB/T 43568-2026), marks a critical milestone in technical standardization for next-generation energy storage. Led by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) alongside industry leaders such as CATL and Gotion High-Tech, this initiative addresses a long-standing industry challenge: imprecise nomenclature.
By establishing precise quantifiable thresholds-such as specific mass loss limits for internal liquid electrolytes below 0.5%-the standard creates a rigorous line of demarcation. This clarity prevents misleading marketing and equips automakers and suppliers with an objective foundation for component specification and qualification. As the inaugural part of a comprehensive series, this standard paves the way for upcoming frameworks covering safety metrics, performance benchmarks, and lifespan criteria.
Global Leadership in Action: The First IEC Solid-State Battery Proposal
On the international stage, China has achieved another breakthrough with the approval of its standard proposal within the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Titled "Secondary Lithium-Ion Batteries for the Propulsion of Electric Road Vehicles – Application Guidelines, Test Items, and Conditions for Solid-State Batteries," this proposal represents the world's first international standard project dedicated specifically to EV solid-state battery applications.
This international initiative establishes a harmonized testing protocol and operational guideline tailored to automotive solid-state deployments. By defining uniform testing conditions, safety evaluation frameworks, and performance metrics, the IEC standard addresses the lack of global norms that previously hindered large-scale commercial integration and cross-border trade.
Strategic Impact: Eliminating Market Confusion and Shaping Global Rules
The dual release of domestic and international standards carries profound implications for the global EV industry. Domestically, the national standard filters out commercial speculation and aligns supply chain expectations around verified technical benchmarks. Automakers gain a reliable reference framework for sourcing decisions, ensuring higher quality standards across the entire supply chain.