Ten Years of Progress in New Energy Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure: A Summary Report by Zou Peng

Zou Peng: Summary Report on the Development of New Energy Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure Over the Past Ten Years

The 2025 China Automotive Charging and Battery Swap Ecosystem Conference was held from September 27 to 29 in Hefei, Anhui Province. Under the theme “Ten Years of Progress, Smart Future,” the event was jointly hosted by the China Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Promotion Alliance and the Charging and Battery Swap Branch of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The conference included a closed-door meeting, an opening ceremony and main forum, six thematic forums, and several special sessions, along with a retrospective of the achievements in the charging and battery swap industry over the past decade. This aims to collaboratively promote the construction of a healthy industrial ecosystem in the charging and battery swap sector. During the opening ceremony and main forum on the morning of September 28, Zou Peng, Executive Secretary-General of the Charging and Battery Swap Branch of the China Automobile Industry Association and the China Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Promotion Alliance, delivered an insightful speech. The following is a transcript of his speech:

Good morning, esteemed leaders and experts!

Thank you all for attending the 2025 China Automotive Charging and Battery Swap Ecosystem Conference. I extend a warm welcome and sincere appreciation for your presence! Now, I would like to present a summary of the development of new energy vehicles and charging infrastructure over the past decade.

Complementary Development of Charging Infrastructure and New Energy Vehicles

Reflecting on the starting point of development, prior to 2014, China’s charging infrastructure was primarily dependent on the sales scenarios of new energy vehicles for demonstration and promotion. The path for advancement during this phase was clear: first, through the national “863” program research to establish a technical system for charging and battery swap facilities; second, by implementing demonstration applications through major projects such as the Olympics, the World Expo, and the “Ten Cities, Thousand Vehicles” initiative; and third, by aligning with national subsidies for the promotion and application of new energy vehicles to proactively lay out construction. Over the past decade, the new energy vehicle and charging infrastructure industries in China have consistently exhibited a trend of “mutual reinforcement and collaborative progress,” ultimately establishing a relatively complete charging and battery swap industrial ecosystem.

Establishment of a Comprehensive Policy Framework

On the policy support front, China has developed a multi-layered and all-dimensional policy system. Since the State Council issued the “Guiding Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure” (Guo Ban Fa [2015] No. 73) in 2015, the national government has continued to introduce multiple supporting policies. In 2023, the State Council further extended the policy direction by releasing “Guiding Opinions on Further Constructing a High-Quality Charging Infrastructure System” (Guo Ban Fa [2023] No. 19), clearly supporting the transition of charging stations from “adequate” to “convenient.”

To promote high-quality industrial development, multiple central government departments have consistently adhered to a collaborative approach, continuously improving the charging facility policy framework in practice. This effectively guides the development of charging infrastructure across public, private, enterprise, and institutional sectors, forming a promotion system characterized by “central policy guidance and local implementation details.” Specifically, in terms of construction, efforts focus on different scenarios and regions to advance charging infrastructure; on the technical side, there is encouragement for high-power charging technologies and demonstration applications for vehicle-grid interaction; and in terms of subsidies, there is an emphasis on supportive and new technology application charging stations to address the shortcomings of the charging network.

Establishment of a Comprehensive Technical Standards System

After over a decade of systematic advancement, China has initially established a comprehensive standards system for charging infrastructure. This system covers all aspects of charging equipment manufacturing, inspection and testing, planning and construction, and operation management, addressing critical issues such as charging safety, interoperability, equipment quality, facility planning, and metering and billing during the use of electric vehicles.

Diverse Development of Charging Operators

With the prosperous development of the charging market, various entities have begun to participate in the construction and operation of charging infrastructure, alongside early participants such as State Grid, Southern Grid, and companies like TELD and Star Charge. These include traditional energy enterprises like Sinopec and PetroChina; internet companies such as Alipay and Xiaojun; electric equipment manufacturers like Wanma and Huawei; and automotive companies like Kaimais and Geely Haohan Energy.

Creation of the World’s Largest Charging and Battery Swap Service Network

According to the latest data from the National Energy Administration, as of the end of August 2025, the total number of charging infrastructure units nationwide reached 17.348 million, with the number of battery swap stations reaching 4,946. This has resulted in the establishment of the world’s largest charging and battery swap service network. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, significant achievements were made in charging network construction, with two charging stations for every five new energy vehicles, effectively addressing the public’s concerns about “charging difficulties” and making charging more convenient and travel more secure for citizens.

Flourishing Charging Operation Market

After years of development, the number of charging operators across the country has grown from just over ten to more than 30,000, continuously optimizing the market structure. Major operators hold a significant market share, with the top five operators accounting for over 60% of the market, while more than 30,000 small and micro operators remain active, creating a diverse development pattern characterized by “leading head operators and supplementary small operators.”

The Role of Charging Infrastructure in the Development of Electric Vehicles and the Power Grid

It is essential to emphasize that charging infrastructure serves as a crucial foundation and guarantee for the promotion and application of electric vehicles, while the continuous expansion of electric vehicle adoption is the primary driving force behind the enhancement of charging infrastructure service quality. As the automotive industry shifts toward electrification, intelligence, and connectivity, electric vehicles will increasingly engage in market-based electricity transactions, leading to a more significant role for charging infrastructure in the deep integration of electric vehicles and the power grid.

The Ongoing Role of the China Charging Alliance

During the 15th Five-Year Plan, the China Charging Alliance will continue to serve as a vital bridge. We will focus on enhancing service quality, promoting the implementation of related policies, deepening the evaluation of star-rated charging stations, resisting disorderly competition, and supporting the healthy development of the industry. Additionally, we will promote the construction of a vehicle-grid interaction standards system and explore sustainable business models. Furthermore, we will actively establish international exchange and cooperation platforms to help bring China’s advanced technologies, products, and models to the world.

In closing, I hope all leaders and experts will continue to pay attention to and support the development of the Charging Alliance. I also look forward to active participation from all member units in the various activities organized by the alliance, working together to drive the charging infrastructure industry towards a higher quality of development! Thank you all!