China EV Charging Infrastructure Reaches 21.95 Million Units in April 2026

China continued to accelerate the expansion of its electric vehicle charging ecosystem in April 2026, according to the latest operational data released by the China Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Promotion Alliance (EVCIPA). The report highlighted strong year-over-year growth across both public and private charging infrastructure as the country’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) market maintained rapid momentum. Data collected from more than 2,000 alliance members showed that nationwide charging infrastructure growth remained closely aligned with NEV adoption trends, supporting the country’s long-term electrification targets.

China EV Charging Infrastructure Crosses 21.95 Million Units

As of April 2026, domestic EV charging facilities in China totaled 21.955 million units, representing a 47.4% year-over-year increase. Public charging facilities accounted for 4.907 million units, while private charging facilities reached 17.048 million units. Public charging infrastructure recorded a 29.6% increase compared to the previous year, whereas private charging facilities expanded significantly faster at 53.5% year-over-year growth. The rapid increase in private installations reflected the continued rise in personal NEV ownership and broader residential charging adoption across major urban markets.

Increase in Charging Facilities Between January and April 2026

During the first four months of 2026, China added 1.863 million charging facilities nationwide, marking a 49.4% year-over-year increase. Public charging infrastructure additions totaled 190,000 units, which represented a 53.9% decline compared to the same period last year. In contrast, private charging facility additions surged to 1.673 million units, reflecting an impressive 100.5% year-over-year increase. The data indicated that residential charging deployment remained the dominant contributor to overall infrastructure expansion during the period.

China EV Charging Facility Growth Data

NEV Sales and Charging Infrastructure Expansion Remain Aligned

Between January and April 2026, domestic NEV sales in China reached 2.92 million units, while charging infrastructure additions stood at 1.863 million units. The ratio of approximately 1.6 NEVs for every newly added charging facility suggested that infrastructure deployment continued to keep pace with the country’s expanding electric vehicle market. The balanced growth pattern demonstrated ongoing efforts to avoid infrastructure bottlenecks while supporting rising consumer demand for electric mobility solutions.

Regional Concentration of Public Charging Facilities

Public charging infrastructure remained heavily concentrated in several economically developed provinces and municipalities. Guangdong led the market with 835,000 public charging facilities, followed by Zhejiang with 479,000 units and Jiangsu with 425,000 units. Other major regions included Shanghai, Shandong, Fujian, Henan, Anhui, Sichuan, and Hubei. Together, these regions accounted for 66.3% of the country’s public charging infrastructure. Electricity consumption for charging activities was primarily concentrated in Guangdong, Jiangsu, Hebei, Sichuan, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Shandong, Fujian, Henan, and Shaanxi.

Leading Regions for Public Charging Facilities in China

Charging Electricity Consumption Rises Strongly

Nationwide charging electricity consumption continued to rise alongside increasing EV adoption and charging infrastructure deployment. In April 2026, charging volume across the country reached approximately 10.38 billion kWh. The figure represented a month-over-month increase of 1.53 billion kWh and a substantial 69.0% year-over-year rise. Public buses and passenger vehicles remained the primary contributors to charging demand, highlighting the growing dependence on electrified transportation across both commercial and private mobility segments.

Battery Swapping Infrastructure Continues Expansion

Battery swapping infrastructure also recorded stable growth across China. As of April 2026, the country had 6,039 operational battery swapping stations, representing a 26.9% year-over-year increase. Guangdong ranked first among provinces and cities with 749 battery swapping stations. By operator, NIO maintained its leadership position with 3,850 stations nationwide. The continued expansion of battery swapping networks reflected increasing industry investment in alternative charging solutions aimed at reducing vehicle downtime and improving operational convenience for EV users.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many EV charging facilities were operational in China in April 2026?
China had a total of 21.955 million EV charging facilities operational as of April 2026. This included 4.907 million public charging facilities and 17.048 million private charging facilities. The overall infrastructure network recorded a strong 47.4% year-over-year increase, reflecting the country’s rapid expansion of electric vehicle support systems. The growth was largely driven by increasing private charging adoption as NEV ownership continued to rise across urban and residential markets.

Which company operated the largest battery swapping network in China?
NIO operated the largest battery swapping network in China as of April 2026. The company managed 3,850 battery swapping stations nationwide, maintaining its leadership position in the segment. China’s total battery swapping infrastructure reached 6,039 stations during the period, representing a 26.9% year-over-year increase. The continued expansion highlighted growing investment in fast energy replenishment technologies designed to support electric vehicle users and reduce charging downtime.