China to Spend $763 Million on EV Charging Network by 2015
China Southern Power Grid leads a 4.8 billion yuan investment to expand electric vehicle charging stations across five provinces, aiming for completion by 2015.
China Southern Power Grid Company announced plans to invest up to 4.8 billion yuan (about $763 million) in electric vehicle charging station infrastructure by 2015. The project forms part of the company’s Twelfth Five-Year Guideline’s Plan on Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction, targeting five southern provinces.
The company’s strategy includes building new charging stations in key urban centres and along major highways, supporting the wider adoption of electric vehicles in the region. The investment is intended to help cut carbon dioxide emissions by 300 million tonnes and reduce coal consumption by 100 million tonnes by 2015, according to the company’s public targets.
Charging stations in five provinces
The initial rollout covers five provinces under China Southern Power Grid’s remit. Construction is set to focus on both urban and intercity locations, with an emphasis on making EV charging accessible for daily commuters and long-distance drivers. The company said it expects all work on the charging network and associated emissions reduction targets to be completed by the end of 2015.
China’s other major state-owned utility, State Grid Corporation, has already established a network of 156 charging stations and 6,252 charging posts in cities including Beijing, Suzhou, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Qingdao. This demonstrates a national push to accelerate EV infrastructure, not only in the south but across key metropolitan areas.
Context: China’s wider infrastructure push
The investment in charging stations aligns with broader national efforts to modernise infrastructure and curb emissions. China’s government has signalled support for electric vehicles as a means to reduce urban air pollution and dependence on coal. The expansion of charging networks is seen as a prerequisite for widespread EV adoption, particularly as manufacturers and local authorities look to meet ambitious environmental targets.
For more on China’s infrastructure expansion, see China Plans Surge in Infrastructure Projects to Bolster Growth.
What it means for electric vehicle adoption
A more extensive charging network is expected to address one of the main barriers to EV uptake: range anxiety. By increasing the number of stations, especially along highways and in densely populated areas, China Southern Power Grid and State Grid Corporation aim to make electric vehicles a practical option for more drivers. This could also encourage domestic manufacturers and international brands to accelerate EV launches for the Chinese market.
For insight into how Chinese companies are following global trends in electric vehicles, see Chinese Billionaires Eye Tesla’s Model for Electric Vehicle Growth.
