BEIJING — A Chinese industry initiative has for the first time turned the marketing buzzword “healthy car” into a set of measurable, comparable standards, certifying 31 production models for attributes ranging from zero-formaldehyde cabins to anti-motion-sickness seating. The results were announced at a health-car technology sharing event in Beijing, co-hosted by the China Association for Consumer Product Quality and Safety Promotion and China Automotive Data (CAD), according to PCauto.
From vague claims to testable metrics
The event, part of the 2026 Automotive Quality and Safety Improvement Campaign, brought together more than 120 experts from automakers, industry groups, universities, medical institutions and media. Organizers said the goal is to embed health requirements across the full vehicle life cycle, from design to end-of-life, and to accelerate the adoption of health-related technologies.
Central to the initiative is a shift away from vague marketing language. In-car health is now broken down into specific, testable indicators — formaldehyde, benzene, electromagnetic radiation, motion sickness prevention and oxygen supply — allowing consumers to compare vehicles on a standardized scale. CAD released a research report on healthy-vehicle technology and a study plan for emerging pollutants, and launched a joint research project with the solid waste management center of China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
The certified models
The 2026 Best Health series validation results cover eight categories, with 31 models passing verification. Twenty models earned the zero-formaldehyde designation, including the Voyah M8, Dongfeng Fengshen L8Y, GAC Aion Hyper A800, Qijing GT7, Qijing GX7, Geely Xingyue L Plus, Denza N8L, BYD Tang, Jetta M6, Nissan Teana with HarmonyOS cockpit, Dongfeng Nissan N6, Dongfeng Nissan NX8, Zhijing E7, Buick GL8 Lushang, Aito M6, Xpeng G9L, Nio ES8, Leapmotor Lafa5, Leapmotor D19 and Leapmotor D99.
Two models — the Voyah M8 and Dongfeng Fengshen L8Y — also achieved zero-benzene status. The Aito M6 was recognized for ultra-low radiation, while the Voyah M8, BYD Tang, BYD Song Ultra and Dongfeng Nissan N6 were cited for comfort and motion-sickness prevention. The new-generation Aito M9 series was awarded the “vehicle oxygen cabin” designation, the Leapmotor D99 was named “summer health leader,” the Denza N8L was recognized as a “family comfort cabin,” and the Voyah M8 earned the “extreme child care” award.
Industry observers said the third-party verification system, built on domestic and international standards, transforms in-car health from a self-declared selling point into a quantifiable, verifiable metric. The certified models span joint ventures, domestic brands and new-energy startups, suggesting that health-focused engineering is becoming a common industry priority.
