Stay Ahead, Stay Global 
As the May Day holiday kicked off on May 1, a record wave of travelers across China turned to new energy vehicles (NEVs) for their festive getaways. With five days of wanderlust ahead, drivers enjoyed a smoother ride thanks to rapidly expanding charging infrastructure and smarter energy services.
By March 2025, data from the National Energy Administration showed over 13.7 million charging units nationwide—a 47% jump year on year. From mega-city exits to rural rest stops, charging stations popped up in 98% of highway service areas, ensuring long-distance road trips stayed on track.
Smart Charging, Zero Headaches
In Beijing, some of the busiest highway chargers handled holiday surges with ease. “The charging service is really smart. There are plenty of chargers here, and it’s really convenient. Plus, there’s even a lounge to rest in,” said NEV owner Liu Jiangtao.
To keep up, service areas deployed mobile charging vehicles and boosted on-site support. “These mobile units are flexible and can handle urgent needs on site,” explained Yang Guang of State Grid (Beijing) New Energy Vehicle Co.
Innovation at Full Throttle
High-power stations, automated robots and ultra-fast chargers transformed pit stops into futuristic hubs. The NEA is drafting guidelines to expand high-power charging on highways and in mega-cities—fueling taxis, fleets and personal cars alike, said Liu Yongdong of the China Electricity Council.
Along the Shengyang–Haikou expressway’s Cicheng service area, 47 chargers ran at full capacity, supported by on-site staff and two mobile units that kept traffic flowing, according to Ding Zheqiang of State Grid Ningbo Power Supply Company.
Fast Lanes and Future Proofing
New 160-kilowatt dual-gun chargers on the Rongcheng–Wuhai route cut wait times by 70%. “It took just 30 minutes to go from 50% to full. It was a great charging experience,” said traveler Yang Xing.
On Shenzhen’s coastal Dameisha stretch, cutting-edge 600-kilowatt liquid-cooled stations delivered up to 500 km of range in 10 minutes—and can serve 13 vehicles at once with a mix of fast, slow and V2G chargers, noted Southern Power Grid’s Zheng Jie.
As the Chinese mainland accelerates its NEV charging rollout, the journey toward sustainable travel is charging full speed ahead—keeping drivers on the move and the future of mobility bright.
Reference(s):
China powers up NEV travel infrastructure for May Day holiday surge
cgtn.com
