China's highways witnessed unprecedented demand for new energy vehicle (NEV) charging during the recent National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, with a record-breaking 123 million kilowatt-hours of electricity consumed—a 45.73% year-on-year surge. Official data from the National Energy Administration revealed 5.169 million charging sessions, averaging 15.36 million kWh daily, nearly triple the daily average earlier this year.
The extended eight-day holiday, combining National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations from October 1–8, fueled a travel boom across the Chinese mainland. Highways and transport hubs buzzed with activity as millions embarked on trips, highlighting the growing reliance on NEVs for long-distance travel.
China's NEV sector continues to dominate globally, with 36.89 million units on roads as of June—10.27% of the country's total vehicle fleet. The nation has maintained its status as the world's largest NEV market for a decade, supported by aggressive infrastructure expansion. The country now hosts the planet's largest charging network, with two charging piles available for every five electric vehicles.
Analysts attribute the holiday charging spike to both increased travel and the rapid adoption of NEVs, signaling a broader shift toward sustainable transport. This trend aligns with China's decarbonization goals and offers insights for investors eyeing Asia's green energy transition.
