Li Auto Partners with CNPC To Expand EV Charging Network In China

With oil conglomerates are jumping into the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Li Auto has announced a strategic partnership with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the country’s largest oil company, to expand its charging infrastructure across China.

Under the agreement, Li Auto and CNPC will jointly develop and install 2,000 charging stations and 10,000 charging columns at CNPC service stations. This expansion will add into Li Auto’s existing network of 448 supercharging stations with 2,016 charging columns, which already covers over 70% of China’s major economic hubs and national highway corridors according to CarNewsChina.

Moreover, Li Auto’s plans include constructing over 10,000 fast-charging stations by 2025, which is a notable jump from its previous target. As a result, the partnership with CNPC will assist in aiming for coverage in more than 90% of tier-one and tier-two city centers and over 70% along national Chinese highways by the end of 2024.

Furthermore, the agreement also includes plans for interconnectivity between Li Auto and CNPC’s respective charging platforms, potentially benefiting EV owners of other brands as well.

Sun Guangmin, Li Auto’s Head of Charging Network, expressed the importance of this partnership, stating, “This partnership will further drive the expansion of our Li 5C supercharging network, bringing a convenient charging experience akin to refueling for our customers.”

Notably, Li Auto’s investment in charging infrastructure arrives with plans to invest 10 billion yuan (around 1.4 billion) by 2025. This expansion is critical to support Li Auto’s upcoming lineup of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), including five new models set to launch by 2025. The BEVs will be based on an 800-volt platform with its Mega electric van containing CATL’s fast-charging Qilin batteries.

It may seem strange that oil conglomerates are expanding EV charging infrastructure, but it is not an uncommon case as Shell, for instance, has been making efforts to to sell off about 1,000 retail gas stations while boosting its total charging stations to 200,000 by 2030.

With EV manufacturers are collaborating with traditional energy companies to expand charging networks, it addresses the critical need for expanded charging infrastructure. As these networks continue to grow, they are expected to play a crucial role in accelerating EV adoption across China.

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