【4.16 Lithium Battery News】The New National Standard for EV Batteries Will Take Effect on July 1, 2026

【Trump May Exempt Auto Parts Tariffs, Media: No Pure US-Made Cars Exist】US President Trump stated that he is considering providing tariff exemptions for imported auto parts to US automakers to help them shift to producing parts domestically. Previously, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all cars shipped to the US, which is expected to increase car purchase costs by thousands of dollars. Trump noted that some automakers "need time" to relocate production from Canada, Mexico, and other places to the US, and that future parts should be produced domestically. Reports indicate that there are currently no purely US-made cars. Even cars assembled in US factories have a significant proportion of imported parts. (CCTV Finance)

【Canada to Conditionally Exempt Some Countermeasures Against US Auto Imports】The Canadian federal Ministry of Finance announced on its official website that it will exempt some countermeasures against US auto imports to support the development of domestic automakers. The Ministry stated in a declaration: "The exemptions for these companies depend on whether they continue to produce cars in Canada and complete planned investments."

【Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory Begins Mass Export of Refreshed Model Y】At 13:00 on April 14, the Panamanian roll-on/roll-off ship "Great Stride" docked at berth 3 of Shanghai South Port. During its stay, the ship plans to load 3,499 EVs produced at Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory for export, including 3,015 units of the refreshed Tesla Model Y, marking its first mass export. Driven by new models like the refreshed Model Y, car exports from Shanghai South Port saw a significant increase in April.

【New National Standard for EV Batteries to Take Effect on July 1, 2026】The mandatory national standard "Safety Requirements for Power Batteries for Electric Vehicles" (GB38031-2025), organized by the MIIT, was recently released and will take effect on July 1, 2026. Key revisions include updates to thermal propagation testing, clarifying temperature requirements, power states, observation times, and vehicle testing conditions. Technical requirements have been adjusted from providing a thermal event alarm signal within 5 minutes before fire or explosion to no fire or explosion (still requiring an alarm), with no harm to occupants from smoke. New additions include a bottom impact test to assess battery protection after impact, and a safety test after 300 fast-charge cycles, requiring no fire or explosion during external short-circuit testing. The revised standard explicitly applies to power batteries for EVs, excluding non-drive batteries. Insulation resistance requirements have been improved, including AC circuit battery system insulation resistance. Compression test requirements have been enhanced, with additional insulation resistance-related criteria.

【Self-Discipline in ESS? CATL and Over 20 Giants Hold Closed-Door Meeting to Draft Initiative】Following the self-discipline initiative in the PV industry, the PV inverter and ESS sectors may follow suit. Sources revealed that the China Photovoltaic Industry Association recently held a closed-door meeting to address "cut-throat competition" in PV inverters and ESS, where a draft initiative for healthy industry development was preliminarily reviewed. Over 20 top-tier companies, including Sungrow, Huawei, CRRC, CATL, EVE, GoodWe, Growatt, Ginlong, Sineng Electric, Chint, TBEA, Hoymiles, Hopewind, Deye, Sofar, APsystems, and Envision, attended and spoke at the meeting. Participants noted that the initiative does not involve pricing, quotas, or deposits, and has completed a round of feedback. In recent years, PV inverter and ESS product prices have continued to decline, risking a vicious cycle of irrational competition. (Sina Finance)

【Top Group Plans to Invest Up to $300 Million in Auto Parts Production Base in Thailand】Top Group (601689.SH) announced plans to invest up to $300 million in an auto parts production base in Thailand, to be implemented in phases, with the actual investment amount subject to approval by Chinese and local authorities. The investment has been approved at the 20th meeting of the company's fifth board of directors. The company continues to advance its internationalization strategy, having established production bases in multiple locations. This investment aims to improve international geographic布局, expand international client business, and leverage local advantages to enhance economic效益. However, the investment still requires filing or approval from relevant departments and faces risks such as adjustments to construction plans, content, and scale.