Buick Electra E5 Relaunches in China with Bold “No Fire” Battery Guarantee – A First in EV History

In the world’s most competitive EV market, General Motors' Buick has taken a bold leap with the updated Electra E5 electric SUV in China. More than just a facelift, this launch comes with a world-first battery safety guarantee: if the Electra E5 catches fire due to a quality issue within the first year, Buick promises to replace it with a brand-new vehicle — no questions asked.

This isn’t just clever marketing — it’s a formal commitment aimed at one of the biggest fears EV buyers still have: battery fires. With this move, Buick becomes the first automaker globally to offer such a bold, consumer-first safety guarantee.

The safety claim hinges on GM’s Ultium battery platform, which Buick says can withstand thermal runaway for up to two weeks — far exceeding China’s upcoming national standard of just two hours (coming in July 2026).

The new Electra E5, a mid-size electric SUV, is available from RMB 169,900 (~€21,310), with early-bird discounts dropping the price to RMB 149,900 (~€18,790).

Key Specs:

Battery options:

65 kWh LFP – 515 km range

68.4 kWh ternary lithium – 545 km range

76.8 kWh LFP – 620 km range

Charging: 30–80% in just 19 minutes

Motor: Front-mounted, 180 kW, 330 Nm torque

Performance: 0–100 km/h in 7.5 seconds

Dimensions: 4,893 mm long (longer than Tesla Model Y), 2,954 mm wheelbase for added interior comfort

First launched in 2023, the Electra E5 was Buick’s debut EV on the Ultium platform. Now, with safety at the forefront, Buick is not just selling another electric car – it’s selling peace of mind. Whether this strategy turns heads in China (and beyond) remains to be seen — but it’s certainly one of the boldest moves we’ve seen from any EV brand so far.