China NEV travel surged this National Day holiday, as the country’s rapidly expanding charging network enabled stress-free journeys. Consequently, holidaymakers increasingly chose new energy vehicles (NEVs), reassured by the availability of fast chargers along highways.
For example, Xu Yuan, one holiday driver, completed a smooth 300-kilometer trip in an electric vehicle. “The charging is incredibly fast now, taking just 10 minutes for 60 kilowatt-hours,” Xu said. Moreover, he added, “With chargers available along the entire route, I could drive without range concerns.” His experience reflects the broader trend in China NEV travel.
On October 1, the first day of the eight-day holiday coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, highway charging reached 17.49 million kilowatt-hours. This marked a record high, rising 41.95 percent from the previous year. In addition, the longer holiday boosted travel demand, filling roads and transport hubs with bustling activity, further highlighting the growth of China NEV travel.
During the first half of the holiday, cross-regional passenger flow surged to approximately 1.24 billion trips. Notably, road travel remained dominant, while NEVs powered an increasing share of these journeys. According to the Ministry of Transport, daily NEV traffic reached 13.29 million trips on October 1 and 12.37 million on October 2, representing year-on-year increases of 26.2 percent and 30.1 percent, respectively. This growth underscores the rising popularity of China NEV travel across all regions.
Meanwhile, China’s NEV market has expanded rapidly. By June 2025, 36.89 million NEVs were on Chinese roads, accounting for 10.27 percent of the total automobile fleet. Furthermore, China has maintained its position as the world’s largest NEV market for ten consecutive years, further fueling China NEV travel trends.
The widespread adoption of NEVs has, in turn, accelerated the development of charging infrastructure. Today, China boasts the world’s largest network, with a ratio of two charging piles for every five electric vehicles. By March, 98 percent of highway service areas had charging facilities, allowing drivers to recharge conveniently during trips. Moreover, supercharging piles deliver up to 480 kilowatts, adding hundreds of kilometers of range in just a few minutes, further supporting the growth of China NEV travel.
In addition, the charging network has expanded into counties and rural towns. By June, over 97 percent of counties had charging facilities. This development not only supports rural tourism but also enables travelers to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations without power concerns, making China NEV travel more practical nationwide.
Looking ahead, industry experts expect the NEV market to continue driving growth in the charging sector. Chen Si, CTO at CAMS New Energy Technology, said public charging facilities could exceed 20 million by year-end. In addition, he noted that annual charging volume may reach 80 billion kilowatt-hours, roughly equivalent to the output of the Three Gorges hydropower station. This expansion will further reinforce China NEV travel as a convenient and sustainable choice.
Overall, China NEV travel demonstrates the country’s commitment to green mobility and infrastructure expansion. As holiday travelers increasingly rely on electric vehicles, this trend highlights a broader shift toward sustainable and convenient transportation options.
