News and Information

As the new-energy vehicle industry expands, high-end fasteners are entering a window of opportunity for performance upgrades.

Release date:

2026-08-14

Author:

Litian Hardware

In recent years, the production and sales of new-energy vehicles in China have continued to expand, with vehicle architectures evolving from 400V platforms to 800V high-voltage systems. This shift has prompted new technical standards for fasteners—such as nuts, bolts, and screws—in power batteries, integrated die-cast body structures, and electric drive systems, driving a structural transformation across the fastener industry.

In recent years, the production and sales of new‑energy vehicles in China have continued to grow, driving a shift in vehicle architecture from 400V platforms to 800V high‑voltage systems. This evolution has imposed new technical requirements on fasteners—such as nuts, bolts, and screws—for power batteries, integrated die‑cast body structures, and electric drive systems, spurring a structural transformation across the fastener industry. Compared with conventional internal‑combustion‑engine vehicles, new‑energy vehicles feature fewer fasteners per unit, yet the value of each individual component has increased significantly. In particular, fasteners used to connect battery packs must withstand repeated thermal cycling between −40°C and 125°C, maintain stable preload under sustained vibration, and exhibit excellent insulation, corrosion resistance, and hydrogen‑embrittlement resistance.
Industry research indicates that traditional vehicle fasteners have a relatively low average unit price, while the value of fasteners supplied for new‑energy vehicles has increased by nearly 80%. With the widespread adoption of integrated die‑casting technology, embedded nuts and welded nuts have become core requirements, driving significantly higher standards for nut pull‑out resistance, dimensional consistency, and coating adhesion. At present, most small and medium‑sized fastener manufacturers in China remain proficient in mass‑producing general‑purpose components below Grade 8.8, and the number of producers capable of reliably supplying high‑strength, precision fasteners for new‑energy vehicles remains limited. Many downstream automakers have introduced mandatory testing protocols—such as salt‑spray durability tests, thermal‑cycling fatigue tests, and torque‑loss verification—at the supplier qualification stage, no longer basing procurement decisions solely on price.
Changes in market demand are driving upgrades on the manufacturing side, with an increasing number of producers optimizing their end-to-end processes—including cold heading, heat treatment, and surface finishing—and adopting environmentally friendly technologies such as zinc–nickel alloy plating and insulating coatings to extend product lifespans. Meanwhile, downstream automakers are implementing supply-chain localization strategies, gradually reducing their reliance on imported high‑end fasteners. Industry experts note that the tailwinds from the new‑energy vehicle sector will not persist indefinitely; for companies to secure a stable foothold in the market, they must go beyond mere capacity expansion. They need to establish robust material‑traceability systems, enhance laboratory testing capabilities, and develop tailored fastening solutions centered on high‑voltage platforms and lightweight vehicle bodies. Only by transitioning from simple component manufacturers to providers of integrated connection‑system solutions can they build lasting competitive advantages in an increasingly fierce marketplace.

With the widespread adoption of machine vision inspection, fastener quality control is undergoing a systemic transformation.

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