Restrictions Eased! New Energy Vehicle Repair Reshaping—A Must for Workshops

Multiple new regulations are being rolled out in rapid succession. The door to third-party maintenance for new energy vehicles is officially opening, while safety standards for the industry are also being introduced at the same time. As access restrictions are eased and regulatory standards are strengthened, the long-standing repair landscape is quietly changing.

1. Policy Easing: A New Wave of Market Opening in Vehicle Repair

The transformation of the new energy vehicle (NEV) repair market is being driven by a series of policy releases. On June 5, 2026, the Shenzhen Financial Regulatory Bureau, together with local authorities including the industry and information departments, issued the Notice on Several Measures to Promote High-Quality Development of Shenzhen New Energy Vehicle Insurance. The document proposes efforts to reasonably reduce NEV repair and maintenance costs, encourages automakers and power battery companies to gradually open up repair-related technologies, and further improves the economic viability of battery maintenance. It also supports brand-owned or authorized networks in supplying “three-electric system” (battery, motor, and electronic control) spare parts to compliant independent repair shops.

The new policy also promotes deeper cooperation between the insurance sector and the NEV industry, exploring the joint construction and sharing of repair networks, and helping establish more unified standards for parts pricing and insurance claim settlements.

This is not an isolated regional initiative. On April 1 this year, the Interim Measures for the Management of Recycling and Comprehensive Utilization of Waste Power Batteries from New Energy Vehicles, jointly issued by six central government departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, officially came into effect. A key direction of this national policy is the gradual and orderly opening of third-party repair rights for the three-electric system, while also requiring automakers to provide qualified independent repair shops with access to battery maintenance technical data.

A representative from the China Automobile Maintenance Industry Association stated that under the evolving market environment, repair businesses can focus on upgrading high-voltage operation equipment, improving three-electric system technical capabilities, building digital management systems, and strengthening safety management frameworks. For vehicle owners, this means more diversified repair options in the future. For industry practitioners, market opening brings new opportunities, while also raising expectations for comprehensive service capabilities.

2. Channel Differentiation: Chain Platforms “Go Downstream,” Small Businesses “Reach Up”

As repair permissions are gradually relaxed, the offline market is beginning to show differentiated development trends. Repair shops of different sizes and positioning face distinct current situations and future directions.

According to industry association statistics, traditional fuel vehicle maintenance shops remain numerous nationwide, while there are only 20,000–30,000 shops primarily focused on new energy vehicle (NEV) maintenance. Among these, the proportion capable of performing in-depth repairs on the three-electric system (battery, motor, and electronic control) remains relatively low.

Field visits to offline repair markets reveal that many small shops are currently unable to handle core NEV repair tasks. Some shops possess basic repair qualifications, but due to manufacturer technology restrictions and limited access to authorized spare parts, most can only perform simple operations, such as battery cell consistency adjustments, and are not yet equipped to service core components of the three-electric system.

Meanwhile, leading chain maintenance platforms are leveraging their advantages in scale, capital, and supply chains to enter the new energy three-electric repair segment earlier. According to publicly available information, major chain operators have seen steady growth in NEV service users, while the volume of power battery repair services continues to expand. Many of these brands adopt a refined repair approach, prioritizing localized repair solutions and, in many cases, keeping repair costs within a reasonable range compared to full battery pack replacement.

At the same time, major platforms continue to invest in specialized equipment, building dedicated workstations for non-destructive battery pack disassembly and dynamic motor testing, continuously improving operational efficiency and service quality.

Overall, the market space for third-party repair services is steadily expanding. For small and micro repair shops, joining established chain platforms or investing in professional training for technicians may be viable ways to overcome current development bottlenecks.

3. Industry Standardization Accelerates, Market Landscape Reshaping

As repair channels diversify, industry standards are being implemented more rapidly, laying a solid foundation for the healthy operation of the NEV repair market.

On June 6, 2026, the Electric Vehicle Fluid Replacement Operation Specification, a group standard developed by the China Automobile Maintenance Industry Association, officially came into effect. It establishes uniform procedures for fluid replacement in electric vehicles, addressing gaps in existing guidelines. At the national standard level, the development of Technical Requirements for NEV Maintenance and Technical Conditions for Power Battery Repair Completion is progressing in an organized manner, with multiple aftermarket companies participating in drafting, helping drive the industry toward greater standardization.

In response to market changes, upstream and downstream companies are actively adjusting their strategies. Currently, many chain repair platforms have partnered with major automakers and power battery companies, gaining official technical support and access to original spare parts. Some battery manufacturers have also introduced specialized repair services for third-party markets. This coordinated effort is gradually changing the long-standing habit of vehicle owners relying solely on 4S dealerships for repairs.

Looking ahead, as repair technical data becomes increasingly accessible, parts channels expand, and industry standards improve, the NEV maintenance market is expected to become more efficient and customer-friendly.

The easing of policies has opened the door for third-party NEV maintenance, while clearly defined industry entry requirements ensure safety standards are upheld. Today, the NEV aftermarket is at a critical stage of transformation and upgrade. From the continuous expansion of repair channels to the step-by-step implementation of industry standards, it is expected that, with the combined efforts of multiple stakeholders, the NEV maintenance sector will continue moving toward a more standardized and diversified future.