Expressway EV charging surges over National Day holiday

China's expressway network recorded a sharp rise in electric vehicle charging demand during the National Day holiday, with the daily average charging volume jumping 51.42 percent year-on-year, official data showed.

From Oct 1 to 7, new energy vehicles (NEVs) completed 6.71 million charging sessions on the country's expressways, consuming 163 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, according to statistics from the National Energy Administration (NEA).

The daily average charging volume reached 23.26 million kWh across the seven-day holiday, based on an analysis of 62,700 expressway charging points tracked by the platform.

The notable increase reflects China's expanding NEV fleet and rising public preference for low-carbon travel during major holidays.

To meet the concentrated demand for long-distance travel, the NEA instructed local authorities in advance to refine charging support plans. Relevant entities utilized digital platforms for real-time monitoring and emergency dispatching to effectively secure charging capacity for holiday travelers.

Looking ahead, the NEA said it will work with relevant departments to deploy and upgrade charging infrastructure across expressway service areas, providing more convenient, reliable and accessible support for green travel.

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn