EV Charging Demand to Hit Record High During 2026 Spring Festival, Testing Highway Charging Infrastructure

According to forecasts from State Grid’s Smart EV Network Platform, electricity consumption for new energy vehicle (NEV) charging during the 2026 Spring Festival holiday is expected to reach a record high, with daily peak demand surpassing 34 million kilowatt-hours—a 17% year-on-year increase. Of this, highway charging demand alone is projected to exceed 11 million kilowatt-hours, up 23% from last year. Peak charging periods will coincide with travel surges from February 14–15 and the return-trip rush from February 21–23. The Yangtze River Delta region will face the greatest pressure, with charging stations along major expressways—including the Changshen, Shenhai, and Hukun routes—expected to be the busiest. To alleviate congestion, authorities have designated 5,567 key service stations for priority support and deployed emergency charging equipment at critical locations. Additionally, from February 12 to 23, State Grid will distribute over one million discount vouchers via its “Easy Charging” app to encourage drivers to use urban charging stations near highway entrances and exits, thereby enhancing overall charging efficiency.