China's Mandatory EV Charger Energy Efficiency Standard Takes Effect

China's mandatory national standard for electric vehicle supply equipment energy efficiency, GB 46519-2025, took effect on November 1, 2026. It is the country's first mandatory national energy efficiency standard for charging equipment and sets requirements for integrated DC chargers, including high-power equipment used to charge heavy-duty trucks.

The standard establishes three efficiency grades for integrated DC chargers. Grade 1 requires charging efficiency of at least 96.5% and standby power consumption of no more than 30 watts. The minimum charging efficiency for Grade 3, the entry threshold, is 94.5%.

What the requirements mean for charging equipment

The distinction between the Grade 1 and Grade 3 thresholds matters: Grade 3 defines a minimum charging-efficiency requirement, while Grade 1 represents a higher efficiency level and includes the stated standby power limit. Equipment buyers and suppliers therefore have reason to distinguish between meeting the entry threshold and qualifying for the highest grade.

For high-power DC charging used by heavy-duty trucks, the requirements could influence equipment selection and encourage the replacement of less efficient products. The pace of any upgrade will depend on how the standard is applied to particular equipment and how suppliers and operators respond.