Does every gas station on the highway have charging piles?
3 Answers
Only some highway service areas have charging piles. Here is some related information about charging piles: 1. Waterproof capability: During the construction of charging piles, waterproof materials are applied to the bottom of the charging facilities. This ensures that the lower 20~30 cm of the charging pile body has waterproof and submersible capabilities. National standards for the waterproof performance of charging piles are very strict. Before charging starts, both the vehicle side and the pile side must undergo insulation testing. If the insulation test fails (due to rain or debris), charging cannot be initiated. Therefore, charging piles generally have no issues with rain exposure. 2. Charging pile monitoring: Most charging piles are made of SMC fiberglass material, ensuring long-term outdoor use and resistance to complex weather conditions. Moreover, modern charging piles are internet-connected, allowing the operational status of each charging pile to be monitored in real-time via a backend system. If any issues or malfunctions occur, the backend will receive immediate alerts, ensuring charging safety. 3. Charging interface: Even though charging piles are equipped with waterproof materials, it is recommended to avoid charging during rain. Some consumers worry that the charging interface may short-circuit due to rain exposure. This concern is not unfounded. Even if manufacturers use insulating materials at the charging interface, charging during rain can still pose risks.
I've been driving an electric vehicle on long-distance trips for several years and noticed that the coverage of charging stations at highway service areas is continuously expanding, though not yet available at every stop. Last year during my trip along the Beijing-Shanghai Expressway, most service areas had fast-charging stations, making it convenient for quick power top-ups. However, in some remote sections like mountainous service areas in the western regions, charging facilities were scarce or even non-existent, requiring me to check and confirm in advance using the e-Charging app. I always carry a portable charger as a backup option during my travels, just in case. The government is promoting the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, with the goal of achieving charging station coverage in over 90% of service areas as soon as possible. However, during this transitional period, it's advisable for EV owners to plan their trips in detail to avoid range anxiety. As a side note, during peak hours, queues at highway charging stations can be quite long, so traveling during off-peak times can save a lot of hassle.
I've been following the topic of eco-friendly travel for quite some time. Are there charging piles at every gas station on the highway? Not yet. From a national strategic perspective, the 14th Five-Year Plan emphasizes accelerating the construction of charging infrastructure, with the goal of achieving full coverage in highway service areas by 2025. However, current estimates suggest the coverage rate exceeds 80%, with better development in the eastern regions while the west is still catching up. Having participated in green travel initiatives, I've learned that the government encourages construction through subsidies, but regional imbalances remain significant. Ordinary electric vehicle users can support this trend by checking charging station locations via the State Grid app before trips, helping to reduce carbon emissions. In the long run, improving the charging network will encourage more drivers to switch from fuel-powered to electric vehicles, thereby reducing exhaust pollution.
