What Are the Impacts of Power Rationing on New Energy Vehicles?
3 Answers
New energy vehicle production has not been affected by power rationing. Detailed explanation on why new energy vehicles are not affected by power rationing: Economic Observer reporters reached out to multiple automakers including FAW-Volkswagen, JAC, BYD, Geely, NIO, and Li Auto. Most automakers responded that vehicle production has not been affected, though some suppliers have been impacted. Supplementary explanation on power supply and new energy vehicles: Regarding the current power supply shortage, the China Passenger Car Association pointed out that the electricity consumption of electric vehicles currently has no significant impact on the national power system. In the future, as the functions of electric vehicle batteries in power storage and regulating grid peak and off-peak become more prominent, electric vehicles will make greater contributions to the green development of society.
Power restrictions are indeed a headache for new energy vehicle owners, and I speak from personal experience. During a heatwave with power cuts, all the charging stations in my neighborhood were shut down. My car was running critically low on battery halfway through my journey, and the navigation showed the nearest available charging station was still dozens of kilometers away. I had to urgently ask a friend for help to borrow some electricity. Since then, I've developed the habit of charging in advance, always keeping the battery level above 50%. Additionally, frequent power restrictions can increase battery wear because rapid charging and discharging shorten its lifespan. It's advisable for owners to install home backup power or use public charging stations outside peak hours to reduce grid pressure. In the long run, such issues encourage smarter vehicle usage, such as integrating solar charging panels or traveling during off-peak hours.
I'm a tech enthusiast, and power rationing has a significant impact on new energy vehicles. Charging obstruction is the core issue—when the grid supply is insufficient, charging stations may limit power or shut down, leading to a sudden drop in vehicle range. Some cars have built-in smart systems that automatically adjust charging strategies to avoid peak hours, but frequent adjustments may accelerate battery aging. Power rationing also exposes systemic vulnerabilities, such as being unable to use air conditioning when the EV's battery is low, which is uncomfortable in hot environments. On the positive side, this forces automakers to improve energy-saving technologies, introducing fast-charging algorithms or onboard energy storage units. I personally tested a car with an emergency mode that extends battery life by a few kilometers—quite practical. Keeping an eye on weather forecasts and real-time data from charging apps can help you in emergencies.
