China is dramatically expanding its electric vehicle (EV) charging network, aiming for 28 million charging facilities by 2027. This aggressive expansion reflects the country’s rapid shift towards electric mobility and its leadership in emerging technologies like vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems. As of late 2025, China already boasts over 20 million charging points, exceeding all other nations combined. This is not merely a matter of numbers; it’s about securing future energy independence and dominating the EV market.
Rapid Growth in Charging Infrastructure
The National Energy Administration’s plan includes adding approximately 8 million new charging facilities within the next two years. These will provide over 300 million kilowatts of public charging capacity, enough to support over 80 million EVs. The growth is distributed across urban and highway networks:
- Urban Areas: 1.6 million new DC fast chargers, including 100,000 high-power connectors.
- Highways: 40,000 upgraded ultra-fast charging stations capable of 60kW or higher output.
Currently, China has over 4.7 million public chargers with a combined capacity of 220 million kilowatts, alongside 15.3 million private charging points totaling 134 million kilovolt-amps. The pace of expansion is accelerating, with a 49.7% year-on-year increase in public charging facilities as of December 2025.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Pilot Expansion
A key element of the plan is the rollout of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. By 2027, over 5,000 bidirectional charging facilities will be operational. This allows EVs to not only draw power from the grid but also return electricity, effectively turning vehicles into mobile energy storage units.
V2G is not just about convenience; it’s about grid stability. With millions of EVs potentially feeding power back to the network during peak demand, China could drastically reduce reliance on traditional power plants and improve energy efficiency.
The Rise of Electric Vehicles in China
The charging infrastructure expansion is directly tied to the explosive growth of EV adoption in China. In the past five years, the penetration rate of new energy vehicles (NEVs) has increased tenfold, from 5.4% in 2020 to over 54% in 2025. NEV production has soared from 1.37 million units to over 16 million units, while gasoline car sales plummeted from 18.17 million to 10.7 million during the same period. This trend is driven by government incentives, stricter emission standards, and a growing consumer preference for EVs.
The demand for convenient, high-speed charging is increasing as EV ownership rises. The expansion is not just about quantity; it’s about meeting the evolving expectations of EV drivers.
Conclusion: China’s aggressive investment in EV charging infrastructure and V2G technology positions it as a global leader in electric mobility. This expansion is critical for supporting the country’s rapidly growing EV market, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and pioneering the next generation of energy solutions.
