GB/T 45915-2025 - Battery Design

Technical Requirements for Transport Safety and Intermodal Transport of Traction Lithium Batteries

GB/T 45915-2025 is a new Chinese national standard establishing comprehensive requirements for the safe transport and intermodal shipment of traction lithium batteries — the large-format batteries used in electric vehicles. It was published in 2025 and became effective on 1 February 2026. The standard introduces a tiered grading system (Grades A, B, and C) based on battery condition and safety testing status, and aligns China’s domestic traction battery transport requirements with international frameworks including UN dangerous goods regulations. It fills a gap in Chinese domestic transport regulation that was previously addressed only by international standards such as UN 38.3.

Published by: Standardization Administration of China (SAC)

Current edition: GB/T 45915-2025 (effective 1 February 2026)

Status: Recommended (GB/T prefix) — but establishes the baseline framework referenced in domestic transport and customs documentation

Applies alongside: UN 38.3 (international transport testing), ADR, IMDG, IATA regulations for cross-border shipments

Scope

GB/T 45915-2025 applies to traction lithium batteries being transported within China and in intermodal (multi-mode) transport chains involving China, including:

EV traction battery packs: new, used, or end-of-life packs being transported between manufacturers, dealers, repair facilities, and recyclers
Traction battery cells and modules: individual cells and modules in the supply chain, including new production and recovered/returned units
Batteries for second-life applications: retired EV packs being transported for repurposing into stationary energy storage

Battery Grading System

The standard introduces a three-tier grading system:

Grade A: batteries that have passed all relevant safety tests (e.g., UN 38.3), are new or lightly used with full traceability documentation, and are at a safe state of charge. Lowest risk; standard packaging requirements apply.
Grade B: batteries with incomplete safety test documentation, unknown history, or elevated state of charge. Intermediate risk; enhanced packaging and labelling required.
Grade C: batteries that are damaged, defective, or intended for disposal/recycling. Highest risk; most stringent packaging, labelling, and handling requirements apply. Specialist transport required for fire-damaged units.

Key Requirements

Packaging: packaging must meet UN performance standards; Grade C batteries require additional outer protective packaging and thermal containment
Labelling and markings: SOC declarations, battery grade marking, UN number (UN 3480 for Li-ion, UN 3090 for Li metal), test status summary, and emergency contact information
Consignment documentation: shipper declaration including battery grade, SOC level, test compliance status, and emergency response information
Loading and unloading: physical inspection requirements before loading; package orientation markings; centre-of-gravity requirements for container loads
Temporary storage: storage facilities must have fire safety infrastructure; segregated storage zones according to battery grade; environmental monitoring recommended
Emergency response: detailed procedures for fire incidents including use of specialised extinguishing agents (water fog preferred; avoid direct water jet); post-fire thermal monitoring requirements

Annexes — Test Methods

The standard includes annexes providing specific test methods referenced in the grading assessment:

Thermal runaway test: cell-level trigger method for assessing thermal runaway resistance
Vibration test: transport vibration profile for assessing pack structural integrity during road transport
Impact resistance: drop test and mechanical shock assessment for packaging validation

Related Standards

UN 38.3 — International transport testing standard; required for all modes under IATA/IMDG/ADR; referenced in GB/T 45915 grading criteria
IEC 62281 — Safety of primary and secondary Li cells during transport; covers smaller batteries where GB/T 45915 addresses traction-scale packs
GB 38031 — EV traction battery safety standard; test data under GB 38031 may inform grading under GB/T 45915

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