“Battery locking” refers to automakers remotely adjusting battery management system parameters through software updates and this is done without users’ knowledge so as to restrict usable battery capacity, charging/discharging power, and power output, thereby reducing driving range, slowing charging speeds, and degrading overall vehicle performance.
Precedents already exist. In 2021, Chinese auto manufacturer, WM Motor recalled its EX5 model following multiple spontaneous combustion incidents but implemented “battery locking” as a remedy, drastically reducing owners’ driving range.
This triggered collective consumer protests and drew public criticism from the China Consumers Association. WM Motor’s sales subsequently declined continuously, ultimately leading the company into severe operational difficulties.
Electric vehicle automakers primarily resort to battery locking to control battery warranty costs and mitigate safety risks. Under Chinese regulations, if an NEV’s battery capacity degrades by more than 20% within eight years or 120,000 kilometers, the manufacturer must replace it free of charge.
Some automakers offer even longer warranty commitments; fulfilling these at scale would impose substantial financial burdens. By restricting battery operation to a 20%–80% state of charge (SOC) range through locking, ageing can be slowed, helping avoid triggering warranty obligations.
Additionally, for early models with thermal management deficiencies, battery locking can reduce the risk of thermal runaway. Nevertheless, even when motivated by safety concerns, implementing battery locking without users’ informed consent likely infringes upon consumer rights.
In March 2026, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the State Administration for Market Regulation jointly established four regulatory red lines: prohibiting silent forced updates, banning battery locking that downgrades vehicle specifications, forbidding the use of OTA updates to conceal defects and evade recalls, and mandating full registration of all OTA updates.
Unauthorized battery locking will thus constitute a legal violation going forward. Although this misinformation has now been clarified, it underscores consumers’ widespread anxiety about remote manipulation of their vehicles’ performance.
However, what about ‘Unauthorized Battery Locking‘ done outside of China and without the knowledge of the car owner?
