The Chinese mainland is turning the spotlight on smart EV safety. This week, regulators from the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology opened a public comment period on a draft of new rules for intelligent connected new energy vehicles (NEVs). The move comes after a fatal crash in March involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan in assisted-driving mode that claimed three lives, and earlier recalls in January over parking-assistance software issues.
The draft notice lays out stronger requirements on:
- Recalls and production consistency – Automakers must follow clearer processes when identifying and fixing defects.
- Software updates – Periodic checks and over-the-air patches to fix vulnerabilities without compromising vehicle performance.
- Driver monitoring – Robust systems to ensure drivers stay engaged, with intervention features that can take control if needed.
- Cybersecurity – Measures to guard against hacking and data breaches that could lead to system failures.
- Transparent marketing – Banning any suggestion that driver-assistance features are fully autonomous.
Public feedback is open until September 15, 2025. Once finalized, the new regulations could reshape how NEVs are built, sold and maintained in the Chinese mainland market – potentially setting a global benchmark for connected-vehicle safety.
For young global citizens, entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts, this draft highlights the growing pains of the electric mobility revolution. It’s a reminder that as vehicles get smarter, rules and oversight must keep pace to protect passengers and build trust in next-gen driving tech.
Reference(s):
China drafts stricter safety rules for smart NEVs after Xiaomi crash
cgtn.com
