As new energy vehicles are rapidly gaining acceptance among Chinese consumers, consumer protection policies are being improved.
The State Administration for Market Regulation on Monday issued regulations related to the replacement and return of household vehicles, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2022.
Compared with the existing consumer protection regulations, the new regulations add provisions related to power batteries and drive motors.
The provisions show that if cars need to replace the engine, transmission, power battery, drive motor or its main components due to quality problems within 7 days from the date of the seller issued the purchase invoice, they can be replaced or returned free of charge.
From the date of the seller issued the purchase invoice within 60 days or within 3,000 kilometers (whichever comes first), if cars show problems like steering system failure, brake system failure, body cracking, fuel leaks or power battery fire due to quality problems, they can be replaced or returned free of charge.
For cars within 2 years from the date of the seller’s invoice or within 50,000 kilometers (whichever comes first), the seller shall exchange or return them in the following circumstances:
–The product is repaired for a total of 2 times but still has not ruled out the fault.
–The vehicle’s engine, transmission, power battery or drive motor was replaceed 2 times due to its quality problems, but still cannot be used normally.
–Vehicle’s engine, transmission, power battery, drive motor, steering system, brake system, suspension system, transmission system, pollution control device or body of the same main parts of was replaced 2 times because of its quality problems, but still cannot be used normally.
–Because of quality problems, the product’s cumulative repair time exceeds 30 days, or the cumulative repair of the same quality problem for more than 4 times.
With the rapid growth in sales of new energy vehicles in China, the rule is expected to further boost consumer confidence in buying such products.
According to data released earlier this month by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China’s new energy vehicle sales from January to June were 1.206 million units, a twofold increase from the previous year.
China’s new energy vehicle sales in June were 256,000 units, up 17.7 percent from May and up 1.4 times year-over-year, setting a new record.
This article was first published by Phate Zhang on CnEVPost, a website focusing on new energy vehicle news from China.