China Proposes 0-100 km/h Acceleration Time Limit of 5 Seconds

China’s Ministry of Public Security has proposed a 0-100 km/h acceleration time limit of five seconds for motor vehicles.

China’s Ministry of Public Security has proposed a 0-100 km/h acceleration time limit of five seconds for motor vehicles. Titled “Technical Conditions for Motor Vehicle Operation Safety,” this proposal is part of the government’s new national safety standards for motor vehicles, which include several significant restrictions and enhanced safety measures.

As reported by CarNewsChina, the proposal requires passenger vehicles to have a default setting where their 0-100 km/h acceleration time won’t go below five seconds. This measure is being considered in a bid to reduce safety risks associated with excessive acceleration performance, especially in electrified vehicles.

Speaking of which, the draft for these new standards also sees that both plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and battery EVs (BEVs) must be equipped with a pedal misapplication suppression technology that can detect and restrict power output when the vehicle is stationary or crawling. At the same time, the tech must also provide clear audio-visual warnings to drivers to prevent unintended acceleration.

For the safety of their batteries and motors, PHEVs and EVs are also required to have an automated power circuit cutoff in specific situations. This includes when the vehicle speed changes from 25 km/h or more within 150 milliseconds, in either longitudinal or lateral directions, or while airbags are being deployed.

As for BEVs specifically, their battery status monitor must be upgraded to include automatic detection, recording, or early warning of abnormal conditions in the battery cells. Should any thermal issues be detected inside the battery, the vehicle must alert occupants through both audio and visual signals.

Besides battery safety and quick acceleration issues, the draft also addresses several problems in driver assistance systems, including suggestions that require drivers to receive and complete proper training before being allowed to use these functions. To go with this, cars equipped with ADAS functions might be required to have some form of identity verification system, be it via biometric identification or a simple user ID login.

As for the combination driving assistance systems, when activated at speeds above 10 km/h, the vehicle must continuously monitor driver engagement using at least two methods, namely hand-off detection and gaze monitoring. To prevent distraction, entertainment video playback and gaming functions on dashboard displays must be disabled when the vehicle exceeds 10 km/h.

The proposal also addresses several other safety issues related to doors and windows, where vehicles must ensure each occupant can exit through at least two different doors, and each of them must be equipped with a mechanical release both inside and outside. For vehicles with electronic door locking systems, non-impact side doors must be automatically unlocked when airbags deploy or battery fires occur.

That being said, these drafts and proposals are still in the public consultation phase, which is part of the national standard revision process before being passed as a binding regulation. Should any of these proposals be implemented, it would surely carry some effects in the design and equipment list on future Chinese vehicles.