Are There Charging Piles on Highways?
2 Answers
Not all highway service areas have charging piles, as they are not yet fully widespread. In recent years, the government has been vigorously constructing new energy vehicle charging piles to address the current charging issues for new energy vehicles. Functions of Charging Piles: Similar to fuel dispensers at gas stations, charging piles can be fixed on the ground or walls and installed in public buildings (such as public buildings, shopping malls, public parking lots) and residential parking areas or charging stations. They can charge various types of electric vehicles according to different voltage levels. The input end of the charging pile is directly connected to the AC power grid, while the output end is equipped with a charging plug for electric vehicles. Charging piles can implement timed charging, metered electricity consumption, and cost calculation, serving as a terminal for citizens to purchase electricity. Charging Methods of Charging Piles: Charging piles generally provide two charging methods: regular charging and fast charging. Users can swipe a specific charging card on the human-machine interaction interface provided by the charging pile to select the corresponding charging method, charging time, and print cost data. The display screen of the charging pile can show data such as charging amount, cost, and charging time.
I just completed a 1,000+ km road trip entirely in an electric vehicle, and I can confirm there are plenty of charging stations along the highways! Many service areas are now equipped with fast-charging facilities, especially on popular routes like the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao and Shanghai-Kunming highways. Every rest stop has charging piles from State Grid or TELD, where a 40-minute fast charge can replenish 80% of the battery—super convenient. I used Amap to check station locations in advance and avoided peak charging times, saving both time and money. Next trip, I'll bring snacks and my phone to relax during charging breaks—it's quite enjoyable. I also met many first-time EV drivers sharing experiences on the road, and it feels like the charging network coverage is becoming increasingly comprehensive.
