Improved infrastructure

The development of charging stations nationwide has been conspicuous this year. Notably, at the Daguan Service Area on the Baotou-Maoming Expressway in Chongqing.

"We have installed clear signage. In case of queues, drivers can follow the signs to find a nearby charging station," said Gao Jing, an operations manager from the Southern Operations Branch of the Chongqing Expressway Group.

The Daguan Service Area, emblematic of many service areas along China's expressways, has 24 fixed charging bays and additional mobile charging equipment to accommodate heightened demand. Over the past year, the service area has added 16 more bays, reflecting efforts to address the surge in EV charging demand.

Gao has noted a substantial surge in demand for electric vehicle charging since 2022. Long queues for charging at expressway service areas have become increasingly prevalent, underscoring a growing demand for charging stations.

Gao explained that the Daguan Service Area is located along an artery connecting China's northern Inner Mongolia autonomous region with the southern province of Guangdong. Many workers travel from Sichuan province, Chongqing and other inland areas to Guangdong, a coastal region renowned for its thriving economy, particularly in the manufacturing and service industries. During the Spring Festival travel rush, a large number of people return to their inland hometowns after working in Guangdong, Fujian and Shanghai. The surge in travel demand during this period is substantial, as many residents rely on expressways to return to their rural homes.

"This expressway links Chongqing and Sichuan to Guangdong and Guangxi, making it a crucial route for workers heading home during the Spring Festival travel period. Before the festival, more travelers journey from south to north, whereas after the festival, the flow reverses, with more people traveling from north to south. The characteristics of the Spring Festival travel period are very distinct," Gao said.

"We have a major responsibility to alleviate charging anxiety for EV drivers in Chongqing. Since last year, we have significantly increased investment in building charging stations," he added.

According to Li Li, who oversees the Daguan Service Area, a dedicated team of maintenance staff ensures the smooth operation of the charging stations. "Each week, full-time staff conduct routine maintenance on the equipment," she said. "They check for any irregularities, inspect safety mechanisms, and promptly address any potential issues in daily operations."

In addition, on-site employees carry out daily inspections to ensure the charging stations are functioning correctly. "Typically, we test the chargers by unplugging the cable to check if it disconnects smoothly, then scan the device with an app to confirm it's operating properly," Li added.