GB/T 31486-2024 - Battery Design

Electrical Performance Requirements and Test Methods for Traction Battery of Electric Vehicle

GB/T 31486-2024 specifies the electrical performance requirements and corresponding test methods for traction battery cells used in electric vehicles. It replaces GB/T 31486-2015 and represents a significant structural update: testing requirements have been shifted from module level to cell level, and the definition of battery “modules” has been removed from the standard. The new version was approved on 29 September 2024 and became effective on 1 April 2025 for new type approval registrations, with full implementation replacing the 2015 edition for existing approvals thereafter.

Published by: Standardization Administration of China (SAC) / Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)

Current edition: GB/T 31486-2024 (effective 1 April 2025 for new registrations)

Replaces: GB/T 31486-2015

Status: Recommended (GB/T prefix) — referenced for MIIT vehicle type approval and CCC certification

Scope

GB/T 31486-2024 applies to traction battery cells installed in electric vehicles for the Chinese market, including:

Lithium-ion cells: all cell formats including cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch
Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) cells: for hybrid electric vehicle applications

The standard serves as a reference for other battery chemistries. Unlike its predecessor, it does not cover modules; module-level performance testing is now addressed separately or by reference to GB/T 31467 pack-level tests.

Key Electrical Performance Requirements

Rated capacity: discharge capacity at C/3 rate at 25°C; must meet declared rated value
Charge retention: capacity remaining after 28 days storage at defined conditions; minimum retention threshold
Charge recovery: capacity recoverable by standard charge after storage period
High-rate discharge performance: capacity at 1C, 2C, and 3C rates relative to C/3 capacity
High-temperature performance: capacity retention at 55°C discharge
Low-temperature performance: capacity at -20°C; critical for cold-climate BEV applications
Cycle life: number of charge/discharge cycles to 80% of initial rated capacity at standard conditions

Key Change from 2015 Edition

The 2015 edition covered both cell and module level testing. GB/T 31486-2024 removes the module tier entirely, shifting focus to cell-level characterisation. This reflects the industry trend towards cell-to-pack (CTP) architectures, where modules are eliminated and cells are assembled directly into packs. The removal of the module definition also has direct implications for battery coding requirements under GB/T 34014.

Related Standards

GB 38031 — Mandatory safety requirements for the complete traction battery system
GB/T 31467.1 / 31467.2 — Pack and system level performance testing (complement to cell-level GB/T 31486)
GB/T 34014 — Battery traceability coding; module definition change in GB/T 31486-2024 affects coding requirements

Disclaimer: This is not a definitive guide, just an indication and it is important that you always go back to the source for legislation.