EV Charging Piles

Charging piles (also known as EV charging stations or Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, EVSE) are dedicated devices that supply electrical energy to electric vehicles (EVs). Functioning much like fuel dispensers for conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, they deliver power from the electrical grid to the vehicle’s battery pack to replenish driving range. As critical infrastructure in the new energy vehicle (NEV) ecosystem, charging piles have evolved from basic supplementary amenities into strategic infrastructure driving the deep integration of the transport and energy sectors.

Basic Classification

EV chargers are broadly categorised into two main types based on their charging method: AC chargers and DC chargers.

AC chargers are commonly referred to as "slow chargers". They operate by channelling alternating current (AC) from the grid via a charging connector to the EV’s onboard charger (OBC), which then converts AC to direct current (DC) to recharge the battery pack. Featuring lower charging currents and longer charging durations—typically requiring 7 to 10 hours—AC chargers are best suited for residential estates, commercial office buildings, and settings where vehicles remain parked for extended periods. Their key advantages include straightforward installation, lower equipment costs, minimal impact on the grid, and gentler battery cycling.

DC chargers are widely known as "fast chargers". Featuring an integrated AC-DC conversion module, they supply high-voltage DC electricity directly to the vehicle’s traction battery. Delivering high power output and rapid replenishment, DC chargers typically achieve a full charge within 1 to 2 hours, making them ideal for high-turnover locations such as public charging hubs and highway rest and service areas (R&R). Power ratings for DC chargers generally range between 30 kW and 120 kW, with dedicated ultra-fast chargers capable of exceeding peak outputs of 800 kW.

In addition, EV chargers can be classified by mounting configuration into pedestal-mounted (suitable for outdoor open-air carparks) and wall-mounted (ideal for indoor or basement car parks); by operational use into public, dedicated fleet, and private residential chargers; and by connector count into single-gun and multi-gun (cluster charging) units.

Industry Scale

China has established the world's largest EV charging network. As of the end of 2025, total nationwide charging infrastructure reached 20.092 million units, officially surpassing the 20-million milestone. This comprises 4.717 million public charging facilities and 15.375 million private charging points. The national vehicle-to-charger ratio has improved from 2.9:1 in 2020 to 2.2:1. In 2025 alone, total electricity consumed for NEV charging nationwide reached approximately 110 billion kWh.

Under the "Three-Year Doubling" Action Plan for Electric Vehicle Charging Facility Service Capabilities (2025–2027), the nationwide target is to deploy 28 million charging facilities by the end of 2027, catering to the charging demands of over 80 million EVs.

Industry Landscape and Challenges

Despite rapid growth, the charging infrastructure sector faces the paradox of "expanding scale accompanied by widening losses". Nationwide, the average charger utilisation rate hovers at just around 10%, leaving a significant portion of equipment idle or operating inefficiently. Leading charging operators earn a net profit of merely 4 cents (RMB 0.04) per kWh, leaving over 60% of public charging stations operating at a loss or on razor-thin margins. Key factors include aggressive price wars driving down service fees, rapid technological iteration causing legacy equipment to become obsolete before capital expenditure is recouped, and carmakers deploying proprietary charging networks that dilute shared customer traffic.

Development Trends

EV charging technology is advancing rapidly towards ultra-high power, smart automation, and grid connectivity. BYD has introduced megawatt flash-charging technology with a peak power output of 1,000 kW, enabling an ultra-fast replenishment rate of "2 km of range in 1 second". The industry is shifting from quantitative expansion towards structural optimisation and operational efficiency, accelerating the roll-out of integrated solar-storage-charging systems, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) solutions, and AI-driven management platforms. Beginning 1 August 2026, EV charging equipment will be subject to mandatory CCC certification, raising product quality and safety benchmarks at the source.