How often are electric vehicles inspected?

[NoahAnn]

New energy vehicles follow the same annual inspection rules as fuel-powered vehicles. According to the relevant provisions of China's "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law," the current annual inspection for new energy vehicles is also divided into commercial vehicles and non-commercial vehicles. For non-commercial vehicles, there is a 6-year exemption policy, but every 2 years, an application for an inspection mark must be submitted to the traffic management department. If a pure electric vehicle is a commercial vehicle, vehicles registered within 5 years require an annual inspection, while vehicles older than 5 years need to be inspected every six months, which is stricter than for non-commercial vehicles. For the annual inspection of a pure electric vehicle, you need to bring the vehicle's registration certificate, compulsory traffic insurance policy, proof of payment or exemption from vehicle and vessel tax, and the owner's ID card to the vehicle management office to apply for the annual inspection. On-site, you will need to fill out an "Application Form for Motor Vehicle Inspection Mark." The only difference between the inspection items for electric vehicles and other vehicles is the exhaust emission test.

[Lois]

I'm an ordinary office worker who has been driving an electric car for five years, and I worry about the annual inspection every year. In fact, the annual inspection rules for electric vehicles are the same as those for fuel vehicles. New cars are exempt from on-site inspection for the first six years, but you must apply for an inspection label on the 12123 APP every two years. After six years, you have to go for an on-site inspection, but electric vehicles don’t have to undergo tailpipe emissions testing, saving that step. The focus will be on battery safety, braking system, and lighting conditions. I remember when I went for my first on-site inspection in the sixth year, I made an appointment in advance to save queuing time, and the inspection fee was a little over two hundred yuan. During regular maintenance, make sure the shop checks the chassis wiring to avoid sudden failures affecting the annual inspection. For cars older than ten years, inspections are required once a year, with more and stricter inspection items.

[CorbinLynn]

As someone who has studied automotive policies, I found that after the 2022 new regulations, the annual inspection cycle for electric vehicles was clarified: non-operational private vehicles are exempt from on-site inspections for the first 6 years but require applying for inspection labels every 2 years. Between 6 to 10 years, only the 6th and 10th years require on-site inspections twice, greatly simplifying the process. The inspection items have eliminated the exhaust emission check, but battery pack insulation, high-voltage wiring harness, and charging systems are mandatory checks. Note that modified vehicles are prone to fail, such as illegally adjusted chassis height or non-standard headlight replacements. Ensure all traffic violations are handled before the annual inspection, and compulsory traffic insurance must be valid. Some cities are piloting electronic annual inspection labels, which can be operated via mobile phones.

[MakaylaAnn]

New EV owners, let's talk about annual inspections. The first six years are the easiest—just apply for the electronic inspection label via your phone. However, starting from the sixth year, you'll need to drive to the inspection station every two years for safety checks like brakes and lights. My advice: check tire wear and headlight brightness two weeks before the inspection to avoid rework. While EVs don’t require emissions testing, they do inspect charging ports and battery status, so clean the charging port beforehand. Bring your ID card, original vehicle license, and a copy of compulsory traffic insurance. Inspection stations get crowded, so aim for weekday mornings to avoid weekend rushes.

[VonEleanor]

In the auto repair industry, I've seen many annual inspection cases. The inspection process for electric vehicles is actually simpler than for gasoline cars, with safety testing as the core: braking performance must meet standards, headlight color temperature should not exceed 6000K, and window light transmittance must be above 70%. Vehicles over six years old require additional checks on chassis suspension and steering systems. Three key reminders: first, tire tread depth below 1.6mm results in immediate failure; second, privately installed dark window films must be removed; third, modified headlights must be restored to factory specifications. When scheduling an inspection, you can mention it's an electric vehicle, as some inspection stations have dedicated new energy vehicle lanes.