A truck driver is charging his truck at the Western China (Chongqing) Science City Kecheng Zhichong·Longma Supercharging Station. (Photo/Long Fan)

According to Chongqing Expressway Group, 170 supercharging stations will be built across the Chongqing expressway network by the end of 2025, covering all service areas. This was announced on Thursday at the Sixth Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade.

Chongqing issued an action plan for new energy vehicle supercharging in March. The plan proposes building over 2,000 supercharging stations and more than 4,000 supercharging piles by the end of 2025.

"We have initiated the comprehensive deployment of supercharging stations and will meet the construction requirements of the action plan by the end of 2025. By then, we will be able to alleviate the range anxiety for new energy vehicles on highways," said Zhao Yufeng, deputy general manager of the market development department of Chongqing Expressway Group.

Supercharging refers to a high-power charging technology that provides electric power to electric vehicles with a single gun, with a charging power of 480 kW or more.

"Compared to fast charging, which takes as long as a meal, and slow charging, which can take an entire night, supercharging is much faster and takes less time," said Zhao. "It can provide users with an instant charge experience similar to refueling at a gas station."

In addition to the supercharging stations for new energy vehicles, charging and swapping stations for electric heavy trucks are also being rapidly constructed.

In November last year, Chongqing, together with southwestern China's Guizhou province and South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, jointly launched the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (Expressway) Electric Corridor project, aiming for deep integration between electric transportation and expressways.

According to Zhao, the three regions are building supporting facilities for electric heavy trucks, such as charging and swapping stations, along the Chongqing-Beibu Gulf Expressway of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. 

Zhao added that a pair of swapping stations will be located every 200 kilometers, using an intelligent hoisting and swapping mode. Each swap takes only three to five minutes, providing energy support for electric heavy trucks, reducing logistics costs, and facilitating cross-border trade.