China's Ministry of Transport: EV Charging Demand at Highway Service Areas Manageable
China's Ministry of Transport projects that electric vehicle charging demand at highway service areas will be manageable during the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. However, increased pressure is anticipated for the longer National Day holiday.
China's Ministry of Transport announced on September 25 that electric vehicle (EV) charging demand at highway service areas is expected to be manageable during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday period. The ministry indicated that EV usage during this time is anticipated to be primarily for short-distance, local travel.
In contrast, significant pressure from charging queues is anticipated during the longer National Day holiday. Ministry forecasts suggest that daily EV traffic could reach approximately 17.8 million vehicles on the first day of that holiday, peaking demand.
However, charging infrastructure has seen substantial expansion. Between January and August 2026, approximately 11,000 new high-power charging units were added, matching the total from previous years. Currently, about 22,000 high-power charging facilities are available at service areas.
Nationwide, highway service areas now feature a cumulative total of approximately 89,000 charging facilities, covering nearly all service areas. This expansion aims to ensure smooth travel for EV users, even during peak holiday periods.