China rapidly expands EV support infrastructure, surpassing 13 million charging piles

China has been accelerating the construction of a high-quality charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, with coverage surpassing 97 percent of county-level regions, according to the National Energy Administration (NEA) on Monday.

The latest data reveals that by the end of March 2025, the number of charging piles in China had reached more than 13.7 million units, marking a 47.6 percent year-on-year increase. The figure includes 3.9 million public charging units and 9.8 million private units, said Zhang Xing, spokesman for the NEA, speaking at a press conference in Beijing.

"All provincial-level regions in the Chinese mainland, except for the Xizang Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province, have achieved the goal of installing charging stations in all county-level regions, with the nationwide coverage rate of charging facilities reaching 97.31 percent. A total of 13 provincial-level regions have met the target of installing charging piles in all township-level regions, with the coverage rate of charging infrastructure reaching 76.91 percent," said the spokesman.

A total of 38,000 charging piles have been installed at expressway service areas across the country, covering 98 percent of the nationwide network, Zhang added.

The NEA is also preparing for the five-day May Day holiday, running from May 1 to 5, which is expected to spark a nationwide travel peak.

Zhang emphasized that to address public concerns about travel convenience during holidays, the administration is encouraging local governments and enterprises to focus on deploying high-power charging facilities at key locations, such as expressway service areas.

"As the May Day holiday approaches, the NEA has been guiding regions across the Chinese mainland to upgrade existing outdated charging facilities and install temporary charging equipment. At the same time, they are increasing the number of on-duty staff, ensuring early inspection and maintenance of equipment, and strengthening monitoring through digital platforms to guarantee that charging services during the May Day holiday will operate in a smooth, orderly, safe, reliable, regulated, and efficient manner," said Zhang.

China rapidly expands EV support infrastructure, surpassing 13 million charging piles

A welcoming ceremony for two Chinese giant pandas was held on Wednesday at Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo, one of the world's oldest zoos, marking the official start of their decade-long stay in Austria for scientific research and as ambassadors of friendship.

The pandas, male He Feng and female Lan Yun, arrived in Austria on April 23.

Addressing the welcoming ceremony, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen highlighted that giant pandas are a symbol of the strong friendship between Austria and China.

"Cooperations like these create trust. They bring nations closer together. We shouldn't underestimate the impact of these seemingly small occasions, despite all the differences that may exist. And the giant pandas are a symbol of the Chinese-Austrian [partnership]," said the president.

Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, who led a delegation to Austria from Sunday to Wednesday, also attended the welcoming ceremony.

"Like ambassadors, they will become mascots of friendship between the two countries and their peoples. The giant panda is a national treasure of China, a jewel in the diversity of the earth's species and a precious treasure of ecological civilization," Li said.

As part of the ceremony, the Schoenbrunn Zoo staged a traditional Chinese lion dance performance to celebrate the pandas' arrival, to the cheers of visitors. Among the crowds were dozens of local school children holding signs reading "warmly welcome" to demonstrate their love for the Chinese giant panda.

"It's a very nice moment today to welcome the bears in Austria in Tiergarten Schoenbrunn," said Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in an interview with the China Global Television Network.

The panda pair's arrival marks the latest 10-year round of the scientific collaboration between China and Austria on giant panda conservation, which started in 2003.

The past years of cooperation saw the birth of five panda cubs in Austria, a record for Europe on breeding, alongside achievements made in disease control, staff training and public education.

Panda pair debuts at Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo, receiving warm welcome