China’s New National Standard Enforced: Tesla’s One-Pedal Driving to Be Disabled by Default

1. The new standards will take effect on January 1, 2026.
2. Key additions include technical requirements for regenerative braking, electric brake failure scenarios, and emergency braking signals.

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has released a new mandatory national standard—Technical Requirements and Testing Methods for Passenger Car Braking Systems (GB 21670–2025)—scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2026. The regulation is designed to address safety issues in braking systems exposed by the rapid rise of new energy vehicles (NEVs).

Compared to the previous version issued in 2008, the updated standard introduces significant technical requirements targeting regenerative braking, electric brake failure response, and emergency braking signal functionality. Notably, it places clear restrictions on the widely used “one-pedal driving” mode common in electric vehicles (EVs), requiring that vehicles must not decelerate to a full stop solely by releasing the accelerator pedal under default settings. The move is intended to reduce the risk of driver error and improve consistency and safety in vehicle operation.

This alteration will have an impact on automakers like Tesla, whose “one-pedal driving” mode has become a distinctive feature of its EVs. While the mode offers convenience and energy recovery, regulators believe clearer limits can help minimize misuse and potential confusion in certain driving situations.

The regulation also mandates the installation of anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and provides a technical transition period for automakers. The restriction on one-pedal operation will become fully mandatory for all new and existing models starting January 1, 2027. Most other provisions will apply to newly approved models beginning in 2026, while existing type-approved models will be required to comply by 2027.

Notably, the standard was co-drafted by a diverse group of industry players—including NIO, BYD, and Tesla—representing various technological approaches to electric drive systems. This collaboration highlights the government’s attempt to respond to technological diversity in braking system design by standardizing safety baselines, striking a balance between innovation and regulation.

Industry experts view the revised standard as both a response to rapid technological advancement and a step toward improving operational consistency across NEVs with different brands and drive systems. The clearer expectations are expected to enhance consumer confidence and user experience.

As braking system architectures in NEVs become more complex, the updated standards are poised to narrow the gap in driving experience across brands, serving as a catalyst for the industry to focus more sharply on reliability, safety, and system adaptability.