An innovative EV charging station that combines solar energy generation and storage has been inaugurated in Dafeng District of Yancheng City, as part of broader efforts to encourage sustainable development.

The facility with 23 charging piles was jointly built by CATARC Automotive Proving Ground Co Ltd and SINOPEC’s Yancheng branch. Its supercharging technology can allow for a 300-kilometer range after just five minutes of charging.

In addition, the electricity generated by the solar panels is roughly equivalent to a reduction of 25.7 tonnes carbon dioxide emissions annually.

(CFP file photo)

The challenge of charging has nowadays become a bottleneck for the EV industry, particularly during peak travel times like holidays when long queues are common.

Professor Ji Xuehong of the North China University of Technology emphasized the urgent need to advance the research and development of higher-power charging technologies.

Domestic companies including XPeng Motors, Li Auto, Huawei and CATL have all ramped up their investments in the EV charging sector. In May, Huawei opened its supercharger in Shenzhen City capable of delivering a 200-kilometer range in five minutes. In August, CATL introduced a battery that offers 400-kilometer range on a single charge of 10 minutes, and vehicles featuring this battery will hit the market in the first quarter of 2024.

However, industry experts caution that the development of superchargers must consider various factors, such as cost and potential stress on the power grid.

Liu Kai, deputy director of the technical department of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), said the country has not released standards for superchargers and mass production of compatible vehicles and batteries has not yet commenced.