"Charging Price Hike Due to Oil-Powered Generation?" CCTV Clarifies: It's Actually About Electricity Pricing Mechanisms

Recent rumors have claimed that rising charging costs for new energy vehicles (NEVs) are due to electricity being generated from oil. China Central Television (CCTV) News has clarified this misconception. In reality, public charging station fees consist of commercial/industrial electricity rates and service charges, which fluctuate based on grid-agency power procurement prices and time-of-use pricing—making charging during peak hours more expensive. In contrast, home chargers operate under stable residential electricity rates, which experience minimal fluctuations. Moreover, starting March 2026, China will implement market-based electricity pricing, eliminating fixed peak-valley tariffs and adopting a dynamic pricing mechanism where electricity is cheaper when supply is abundant and more expensive when scarce. This change has led some vehicle owners to mistakenly believe that electricity prices have risen across the board. Experts emphasize that oil-fired power generation accounts for less than 5% of China’s total electricity mix, meaning rising oil prices have a negligible impact on overall electricity costs.