- Low-speed EVs have not previously been regarded as vehicles that qualify for proper licence plates in China but regulators are drafting rules to recategorise them
- The proposals will be open for feedback in April and May ahead of planned implementation in September
As per a report by Reuters, China plans to restrict its use of lead batteries in low-speed electric vehicles (EVs) from September this year in favour of lithium alternatives, according to a revised list of technical requirements for the sector. The report added that low-speed EVs have not previously been regarded as vehicles that qualify for proper licence plates in China but regulators are drafting rules to recategorise them.
The report added that an industry meeting in Tianjin this month decided that lead battery should no longer be accepted for use in low-speed passenger EVs, according to a draft posted on a website run by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center. The report added that the draft added that low-speed vehicles can only use lithium iron phosphate or ternary lithium batteries.
Open for feedback
Ternary lithium batteries are lithium-ion batteries that use three metals such as nickel, cobalt and manganese for their cathode component.The proposals will be open for feedback in April and May ahead of planned implementation in September.
Meeting participants included the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), which oversees EV standards, and the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The report added that state-backed metals research house Antaike said lead batteries would not be banned in the whole vehicle but would not be accepted as power batteries because of energy density requirements
