China's EV Charging Stations

China's EV Charging Stations

The Chinese government is rolling out charging infrastructure for new energy vehicles (NEVs) at an impressive rate.china ev charging stations As of September, the country had 18.2 million NEVs on its roads – battery-powered electric cars (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids as well as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The government’s aim is to raise that ratio to 2.5:1 by 2025 and 1:1 by 2030, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

The country has more than 1.china ev charging stations 15 million public EV charging stations, according to Statista. Of that total, 41% have fast-charging capability. Some of China’s biggest power companies are investing in the charging market. Shell opened its largest EV charging station globally in Shenzhen last month, and China Southern Grid has set up an integrated energy station that offers a range of services like petrol and diesel refuelling, EV charging, battery swapping and car wash facilities. Premium overseas auto OEMs such as BMW and Audi are also setting up their own high-speed charging networks in China, together with local partners.

However, it remains to be seen whether China’s expansive network of chargers is up to the challenge.china ev charging stations Many EV drivers say they are unable to find charging points in rural areas, while others complain of slow or unreliable charging times. Some complain that prices at charging stations are too high, and they say they would prefer a higher-quality charging experience that is similar to the quality offered at petrol stations.

On a recent weekday afternoon at the Xiaowuji station in Shenzhen, 54 of 70 charging piles stood idle.china ev charging stations Only a handful of drivers were plugged in, most of them ride-hailing drivers who use the facility to charge their cars while they work.

Jiang Guotao, a Shanghai-based driver who uses a Qin from BYD, said that he doesn’t own a charging point at home and instead recharges at the public stations where he works every morning.china ev charging stations He cites convenience and speed as his main reasons for doing so.

Despite the challenges, China’s EV charging market is developing at a rapid pace. The government aims to boost EV sales, and it is focusing on rural and lower-tier cities by offering financial incentives for charging points in county and village centres and along rural highways. It also wants to introduce smart technologies that enable EV batteries to give power back to the grid, helping to address power supply issues and improve stability.

However, experts warn that a lack of standardisation among chargers and a rush to expand the network could result in a glut of charging stations that are underutilised or poorly designed. The crowded marketplace is already making it hard for operators to make a profit. Abhishek Murali, a senior analyst at energy research firm Rystad Energy, says that consolidation will be key for the sector and that power grid operators may emerge as the winners. He also expects an increase in utilisation rates as more EV drivers become accustomed to visiting charging points regularly, just as they visit petrol stations.