China’s electric vehicle (EV) revolution is charging ahead at an unprecedented pace. In the first half of this year, the nation’s EV charging infrastructure experienced remarkable growth, mirroring the rapid expansion of the Chinese EV market.
By the end of June, the total number of charging piles across the country soared to 10.24 million units—a staggering 54 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Zhang Xing, spokesperson for the National Energy Administration (NEA), announced these figures at a press conference on Wednesday, highlighting the surging demand for EV charging solutions.
“These facilities have effectively met the charging needs of 24 million new energy vehicles nationwide,” Zhang noted, emphasizing the critical role of infrastructure in supporting the burgeoning EV ecosystem.
Not only has the number of charging piles increased, but the consumption of electricity by new energy vehicles has also seen a significant uptick. During the first half of the year, EVs in China consumed a total of 51.3 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, marking a 40 percent rise from the previous year, according to NEA data.
The NEA has been actively promoting the development of charging facilities in rural areas, tapping into the potential of EV sales outside urban centers. Zhang highlighted that one-third of the country’s provincial-level regions have successfully built charging piles in towns and villages, bridging the gap between urban and rural EV adoption.
The momentum in China’s new energy vehicle market shows no signs of slowing down. Industry data reveals that both production and sales of new energy vehicles surged in the first half of the year, with production up by 30.1 percent and sales rising by 32 percent year on year.
This explosive growth in both EV adoption and charging infrastructure underscores China’s commitment to leading the global transition toward sustainable transportation. As more regions embrace electric mobility and invest in necessary infrastructure, China solidifies its position at the forefront of the EV revolution.
