For Li Dongsheng, an owner of a new energy vehicle (NEV), a 1,000-kilometre road trip from southwest China to the north once came with significant “range anxiety”. This year’s five-day May Day holiday, however, told a different story.
At the Fuping service area in Shaanxi Province, Li was able to add 400 kilometres of range to his vehicle in just 10 minutes. According to him, the growing number of charging stations along major highways has made long-distance travel far more convenient.
Li’s experience highlights a wider transformation in China, where NEVs are increasingly being used for intercity and cross-provincial journeys. This shift is driven by improvements in battery performance and the rapid expansion of fast-charging infrastructure.
Industry experts say these advancements are reshaping perceptions of electric vehicles. Once seen primarily as short-distance commuter cars, NEVs are now proving reliable for extended travel.
Official data supports this trend. China’s highway charging volume for NEVs surged by 55.6 per cent year-on-year on the first day of this year’s May Day holiday, setting a new record for the period.
The Fuping service area, a major transport hub linking different regions of the country, now has 28 charging points and two battery-swapping stations. During peak travel periods, technicians remain on round-the-clock standby to assist motorists.
Operators say drivers can now check the availability of charging stations in real time using digital mapping platforms, making the process almost as seamless as refuelling conventional vehicles.
Beyond infrastructure, technological breakthroughs are also playing a key role. Recent innovations in battery systems allow vehicles to charge significantly faster, with some models gaining substantial range in just a few minutes.
Government figures indicate that over the past five years, the average driving range of electric passenger vehicles in China has risen to nearly 500 kilometres. Charging speeds have also more than tripled within the same period.
China’s transition towards electric mobility is accelerating. The country now has more than 21 million charging points, with full township-level coverage achieved in 19 provinces.
Authorities are also introducing measures to ensure smoother travel during peak periods. In Shanghai, for instance, expressway service areas have adopted mobile charging units and emergency support systems to meet rising demand.
The expansion of charging infrastructure is extending beyond private cars to include the logistics sector. Dedicated charging stations for heavy-duty trucks are being developed to support freight operations and reduce downtime.
Drivers in this sector say improved infrastructure and on-site technical support have significantly reduced concerns about delays and equipment failure.
With continuous investment in technology and infrastructure, industry observers believe that range anxiety is gradually becoming a thing of the past for millions of NEV users across China.
