Vehicle Noise Standards

1. Definition and System Architecture

Vehicle noise standards are mandatory technical regulations established by national authorities or international bodies to curb noise pollution emitted by motor vehicles in both moving and stationary states, defining vehicle noise limits and test procedures. Their primary objective is to enforce noise control benchmarks on automotive manufacturers through standardised test cycles and thresholds, thereby tackling traffic noise pollution at source to safeguard the environment and public health. The regulatory framework covers multiple dimensions, including exterior acceleration/constant-speed drive-by noise, interior cabin noise, stationary noise, as well as tyre/braking noise.

2. Exterior Acceleration Noise Standards (GB 1495)

Exterior acceleration noise is the core mandatory parameter within vehicle noise regulations, measuring the acoustic footprint radiated by a vehicle under urban driving conditions such as moving off from a standstill and overtaking.

China’s current benchmark is GB 1495-2020 "Limits and measurement methods for noise emitted by accelerating motor vehicles", under which Phase III took effect on 1 July 2020, followed by the nationwide implementation of Phase IV on 1 July 2023. Compared with the superseded GB 1495-2002, key updates include aligning test methods with ISO 362-1:2015 and an across-the-board reduction of 3 dB(A) in noise limits alongside a reclassified vehicle tier system—meaning that in terms of acoustic energy, the Phase III threshold is effectively half that of Phase II.

Selected Noise Limits Comparison (Category M1 Passenger Cars) :

Data source:

3. Cabin Noise and Roadworthiness Standards

Interior cabin noise directly impacts ride comfort and long-term driver health. While China has not introduced standalone mandatory cabin noise limits, baseline thresholds are governed under GB 7258-2017 "Technical specifications for safety of power-driven vehicles operating on roads" , which mandates that noise at the driver's ear level must not exceed 90 dB(A). Test methodologies are based on GB/T 18697-2002 "Acoustics - Measurement of noise inside motor vehicles", utilising an "F" time weighting characteristic across a frequency range of 45 Hz to 11,200 Hz.

4. Active Noise Cancellation Performance Standards (GB/T 46098-2025)

With Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology becoming increasingly widespread even in mass-market family cars priced around RM100,000, the upcoming GB/T 46098-2025 "Performance requirements and test methods for automotive active noise control systems" (effective 1 March 2026) introduces a standardised evaluation framework, defining test procedures and performance benchmarks for active noise cancellation across various operating scenarios.

5. Regulatory Roadmap and Future Developments

China’s vehicle acoustic regulatory framework continues to evolve. In August 2025, the Vehicle Noise Standards Research Working Group convened in Wuhu to review upcoming revisions to GB 1495, along with several QC/T standards under development, including "Measurement methods for vehicle wind noise", "Test methods for evaluation of complete vehicle road squeak and rattle", and "Measurement and evaluation methods for noise and vibration of hybrid electric vehicles". Additionally, the "Quietness and Comfort Specification for Intelligent New Energy Vehicles" (CQCC system) released in May has established a comprehensive domestic NVH benchmarking framework spanning static, dynamic, and perceived acoustic quality dimensions.