Editor’s note: As we reflect on 2024, Shenzhen remains committed to advancing high-level opening up, actively integrating into the new development pattern, and attracting foreign investment. We’re introducing this special series, “2024 in Review,” to highlight the city’s progress across various sectors. This marks the fifth installment in our series of reports.
IN 2024, Shenzhen accelerated the development of a high-quality charging infrastructure system, striving to establish itself as a world-class city of ultra-fast charging. The city has achieved remarkable success as a global pioneer in digital energy, providing strong support for the high-quality development of the new energy industry. High-quality charging facilities Efficient and convenient, Shenzhen has built 1,002 ultra-fast charging stations and 410,000 charging piles, becoming the first city in the world where charging stations and charging lances surpasses that of gas stations and fuel pumps. As the number of new energy vehicles (NEVs) continues to rise, Shenzhen is expediting the construction of a comprehensive, well-balanced, and structured charging infrastructure network, swiftly transforming the blueprint of an ultra-fast charging city into reality. The concept of “one ultra-fast charging station every kilometer” has become part of daily life for citizens, with the idea of charging a vehicle in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee now a reality. Charging has become as convenient as refueling, alleviating “range anxiety” for commuters driving electric vehicles. New type of power system In park parking lots, integrated ultra-fast charging stations with solar energy storage are now operational, incorporating robot coffee stations, mobile energy storage robots, and online reservation parking systems. This creates a new parking environment that is smart, convenient, and green. On highways, ultra-fast charging stations have been established at the Fuyong and Changzhen service areas, achieving full coverage of charging facilities at highway service areas. Shenzhen has developed a “Super Fast Charging” section on the “iShenzhen” app. The city has pioneered the establishment of the country’s first “integrated electricity charging and storage network,” ensuring full access to charging facilities citywide. This initiative strengthens data interconnectivity with electric vehicles and charging facility operators, supporting the development of a new type of power system that fosters harmonious interaction between generation, grid, load, and storage. The Virtual Power Plant Management Platform 3.0 enables real-time adjustable loads of up to 840,000 kilowatts, equivalent to the electricity demand of 140,000 households. This accelerates the city’s energy system towards a greener transformation and gradually shapes sustainable production practices and a green lifestyle. In the past year, Shenzhen has laid a solid foundation around charging infrastructure, becoming the first city in the country to introduce six leading local standards, such as the “Grading Evaluation Specification for Electric Vehicles’ Super Charging Facilities “ and the “Design Specification for Centralized Public Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles.” These standards establish a grading evaluation index system for technical indicators such as charging service capacity, noise, efficiency, and protection level for super charging facilities. Moreover, specific standards and regulations have been set for the site selection, layout, and power quality requirements of centralized public charging stations. A leading city for NEVs The concepts of building an “ultra-fast charging city” and a “world-class next-generation automotive city” are closely linked and mutually reinforcing. Popularizing ultra-fast charging stations by making charging as fast as refueling will significantly boost the development of the NEV industry. As the leading city for NEVs in China, Shenzhen achieved a new car penetration rate of 75.9% from January to October in 2024, with an NEV fleet exceeding 1.19 million units, accounting for 27.4% of total vehicle stock. In November of last year, BYD produced its 10 millionth NEV. From reaching the 5 millionth to the 10 millionth milestone, BYD accomplished this feat in just 15 months, once again demonstrating China’s accelerated pace in the global automotive industry. While vehicle manufacturers experience strong production and sales growth, local Shenzhen companies along the NEV industry chain, such as battery producer Sunwoda and battery material producer BTR New Material, have secured more orders as the market expands and continue to achieve new breakthroughs through technological innovation. (Windy Shao) VOICES Hou Jinlong, president of Huawei Digital Power Technologies: China’s NEVs have undergone “three transformations” after years of development: shifting from primarily operational vehicle users to private car users, transitioning from focusing on large battery sizes for long-range driving to emphasizing ultra-fast charging for quick energy replenishment, and growing from annual sales in the millions to the tens of millions. Accelerating the construction of high-quality charging infrastructure centered on ultra-fast charging to enhance user experience will be key to driving these three transformations.
Zhang Jingjing, secretary-general of the Shenzhen New Energy Vehicle Operation Enterprise Association: Ultra-fast charging improves charging efficiency, and when combined with light storage, utilizing photovoltaic energy and energy storage for peak-shaving can reduce electricity costs, bringing more profits to charging operation companies.
Wei Fulei, director of the Finance, Taxation, Trade, and Industrial Development Research Center, the China Development Institute: The construction of ultra-fast charging in Shenzhen does not merely serve the purpose of usage needs. Looking at the overall new energy industry chain, it will drive a new round of technological iteration, leading to upgrades and transformation across the entire new energy industry. In the future, Shenzhen will continue to focus on the NEV and smart connected vehicle sectors, achieving even greater results. Ren Xin, a Shenzhen resident: Charging an electric vehicle with slow chargers usually takes 7 to 8 hours to fully charge, while fast chargers require 1 to 2 hours. With ultra-fast chargers, it’s possible to charge 80% or more in 10 minutes or less, greatly enhancing the charging experience. With more charging facilities available now, one can now charge their vehicle anytime and anywhere. | 