Public EV Charging Rates Rise Across Multiple Regions, Driving Up Operating Costs

Around April 20, following an increase in oil prices, many new energy vehicle owners across multiple regions noticed a rise in public charging station fees. Real-world data from Beijing shows that during peak hours, electricity prices for charging have increased by nearly RMB 0.5 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), raising the cost of a full charge by over RMB 30. This price hike exhibits significant regional disparities: most charging stations in Shanghai have maintained stable pricing, while in some lower-tier cities, charging costs have fluctuated considerably due to regional differences, time-of-day variations, and operators’ pricing strategies. The electricity price increases are primarily driven by policy adjustments and rising operational costs. Starting March 1, 2026, fixed time-of-use electricity tariffs for public charging stations will be abolished, replaced entirely by a market-based dynamic pricing mechanism. Currently, commercial and industrial electricity rates, site rental fees, equipment depreciation, and maintenance costs continue to climb. Coupled with previously aggressive industry competition that suppressed service fees, most operators are now forced to raise electricity prices to sustain operations. Highway charging stations, meanwhile, are trapped in a vicious cycle of “idleness → price hikes → queues → new station construction.” Market data shows that TELD and Star Charge hold market shares of 18.88% and 15.37%, respectively. Leading operators incur full-cycle operating costs of approximately RMB 0.4 per kWh, meaning their service fees must exceed this level to achieve break-even.