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The Chinese government has introduced a new national standard, GB 21670-2025, for passenger car braking systems, which significantly impacts the single-pedal driving mode used in electric vehicles (EVs), including those from Tesla. This standard is designed to improve safety by restricting the default use of single-pedal driving, where releasing the accelerator alone can bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
Key impacts and provisions of the new standard include:
1. **Prohibition of default single-pedal stop mode:** Vehicles can no longer be set to a mode where simply releasing the accelerator pedal decelerates the car to a full stop. This change is intended to prevent delayed driver reactions in emergencies where using the brake pedal is necessary.
2. **Mandatory Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) installation:** All newly approved passenger vehicles must have an ABS to enhance control during emergency braking, complementing the regulation’s safety goals.
3. **Brake light activation requirement:** Brake lights must illuminate when deceleration due to energy recovery exceeds 1.3 m/s², and stay on during this deceleration. This requirement aims to alert other drivers and reduce the risk of rear-end collisions.
4. **Implementation timeline:** The new standard will partially take effect for new vehicle approvals starting January 1, 2026, but the specific restrictions on single-pedal driving mode will not become mandatory until January 1, 2027. Existing vehicle approvals will need to comply by the same 2027 date.
For Tesla, which previously allowed single-pedal driving in China, this standard means adjustments in the software controlling regenerative braking and default vehicle stopping modes. Tesla had already made changes in response to earlier regulatory pressure by switching the default stopping mode to "Creep" rather than "Hold" in China, requiring the brake pedal to keep the vehicle stationary. The GB 21670-2025 standard formalizes and extends these restrictions across all new electric vehicles in the Chinese market.
Other manufacturers, such as Mercedes-Benz (EQ series), BMW (i3), Nio (ES6), and some Xpeng models, have incorporated single-pedal mode as an option. However, safety concerns have emerged regarding long-term reliance on single-pedal driving, as it may lead to delayed driver reactions and potential misapplication of pedals in emergencies. In situations requiring sudden braking, drivers accustomed to single-pedal operation might not react quickly enough to switch to the brake pedal, increasing the risk of accidents.
The ABS installation is aimed at preventing wheel lock-up during emergency braking and maintaining vehicle stability and control. The brake light illumination is intended to alert following vehicles and other road users and reduce the likelihood of rear-end collisions.
This new standard is part of China's ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and efficiency of its rapidly growing EV market. As the world's largest EV market, China is a crucial testing ground for new technologies and regulations. Tesla's sales in China fell 12% in Q2 but saw a significant recovery in June, marking the first annual increase since September 2024, with the company selling 71,599 units.
Sources: [1] GB 21670-2025 standard document [2] Tesla China sales data (June 2025) [3] Tesla regulatory compliance updates
- The new standard, GB 21670-2025, poses a challenge for the automotive industry, as it mandates changes in the technology of new energy vehicles, particularly in their braking systems, to ensure safety.
- Finance is also affected, as companies involved in the manufacturing of new energy vehicles may need to invest in research and development to comply with the new regulations, such as the installation of Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) in their vehicles.
- The transportation sector will experience shifts in consumer behavior with the implementation of the GB 21670-2025 standard, as drivers adapt to changes in their electric vehicles, such as the prohibition of default single-pedal stop mode and the requirement for better brake light activation.
