Charging Ahead This Holiday: A Guide for Electric Vehicle Drivers in Jiangsu During the May Day Holiday
The countdown to the “May Day” holiday has begun! In 2025, the highways will be toll-free for five days, from May 1 to May 5. According to the latest statistics, in 2024, Jiangsu Province registered 1.017 million new energy vehicles, achieving a market penetration rate of 44.2%. The total number of new energy vehicles in the province has reached 2.691 million, with a penetration rate of 10.6%.
For electric vehicle drivers eager to hit the road but concerned about long waits at charging stations, don’t worry! Here’s your “Charging and Avoiding Traffic” guide for Jiangsu’s highways and surrounding areas. Below are some tips for a hassle-free journey with fewer crowds and fully charged batteries.
⚡ Charging Peak Warnings!
The State Grid has analyzed charging data from the past two May Day holidays and found that the first and last days of the holiday are particularly busy, often resembling a “charging battlefield.” Here’s the daily timeline for the “charging battle”:
- 8:00 AM: Traffic starts to pick up on the highways, and charging stations begin operations.
- 11:00 AM: The first wave of “charging hunters” arrives.
- 2:00 PM: Charging peaks during this hour.
- After 6:00 PM: As the sun sets, charging stations finally get a moment to breathe.
🔥 List of Most Congested Charging Stations
These service area charging stations can quickly turn into parking lots during the holiday! Make a note of these hotspots:
- (Predicted top ten crowded charging stations)
❗ Emergency Avoidance Strategies
To avoid congestion, open your charging app and tap on the “Highway Stations” tab. If you see “Currently Waiting,” it’s time to go elsewhere! If the opposite side has available charging stations, make your way through the underpass to snag a quick spot!
If you find yourself in a long line at a highway charging station, consider exiting the highway to find a nearby city fast charging station. You can even grab a milk tea while you’re at it!
🎁 Time for Discounts!
Take advantage of charging surprises:
- At popular service areas: Smart charging stations offer a package of coupons worth 30 yuan, allowing for instant discounts!
- At less crowded service areas: Enjoy charging at a minimum of 50% off!
Important Note: It is advisable to avoid peak charging stations. Public charging stations in surrounding cities can offer discounts as low as 90% off!
(You can keep an eye on charging mini-programs; there are hidden discounts available every day during the holiday!)
🚨 Safety Warnings: Avoid These Pitfalls!
- Tired driving is dangerous! Take breaks every two hours at service areas for charging, stretching, and enjoying some snacks.
- Experiencing a charging station malfunction? Immediately take a photo of the station number and call for maintenance help!
- Keep an eye on children: Charging guns are not toys!
Reported by Ni Min for Jiangsu News. Photos provided by interviewees. Edited by Yan Ying.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/essential-guide-to-navigating-charging-stations-during-the-may-day-holiday-in-jiangsu-for-electric-vehicle-owners/
