What’s Happening
In a move towards green energy, the municipal authorities of Shenzhen, a prominent city in China’s Guangdong Province, revealed their ambitious plan during the 2023 International Digital Energy Expo (IDEE). They aim to build 300 supercharging stations for new energy vehicles (NEVs) within the next three years. This endeavor was marked by the unveiling of the city’s first fully liquid-cooled supercharging demonstration station.
Why It Matters
This initiative plays a crucial role in advancing China’s commitment to sustainable energy and expanding its NEV industry. The proposed number of supercharging stations mirrors the current count of traditional oil stations in Shenzhen, a testament to the city’s commitment to making electric vehicle charging more accessible than conventional fueling by 2030. The progress in Shenzhen is not just local news—it’s part of a global trend towards cleaner, more efficient energy sources.
Key Points
Feng Yuebo, General Manager of the Shenzhen Power Supply Bureau of the China Southern Power Grid, explained the significance of “supercharging,” a technology that offers faster recharging capabilities than previous fast-charging facilities. This novel station boasts a robust output power of 600 kilowatts, a peak output current of 600 amps, and a top speed charging rate of 1km/s.
Further, experts from Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., who provided the technology for the demonstration station, highlighted that the full liquid-cooled supercharging solution offers quick charging while maintaining superior heat dissipation. Unlike its predecessor, the air-cooled technology, the supercharging solution improves reliability, extends the facility’s service life to 20 years, and operates more quietly.
Bottom Line
With over 13.1 million NEVs in China as of the end of 2022, it’s evident that the demand for more efficient charging solutions is rising. Shenzhen’s robust infrastructure and significant NEV population—860,000 NEVs, according to Mayor Qin Weizhong—make it an ideal candidate for pioneering the “Supercharging City” initiative. Moreover, Shenzhen’s 24,000 new energy and digital energy enterprises make it a global leader in photovoltaic, lithium-ion energy storage, and other advanced technologies. This transformation could serve as a blueprint for other cities around the world seeking to enhance their electric vehicle infrastructure.
