In a strategic move to bolster its charging infrastructure, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Li Auto has inked an agreement with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the country’s largest oil company.
The partnership will further accelerate the buildout of Li Auto’s rapidly expanding charging network, which already covers over 70% of China’s major economic hubs and national highway corridors. As of June 17th, Li Auto has constructed 448 “supercharging stations” with a total of 2,016 charging piles nationwide. By the end of 2024, the company plans to install over 2,000 Li’s charging stations and 10,000 charging piles at CNPC service stations, achieving coverage of more than 90% in tier-one and tier-two city centers and over 70% along national highways.
Under the new agreement, Li Auto and CNPC will collaborate to develop charging infrastructure along highways and urban areas. While the aim is to optimize the charging experience for Li vehicle owners, the two parties will also work to enable interconnectivity between their respective charging platforms as well.
“Our partnership with Li reflects the strategic shift towards green and low-carbon development. It will also accelerate the deployment of our ‘oil-gas-hydrogen-electricity’ sales and service network,” said Xue Guoxing, a CNPC representative.
Li Auto’s Head of Charging Network, Sun Guangmin, added, “The collaboration will further drive the expansion of our Li 5C supercharging network, bringing a convenient charging experience akin to refueling for our customers.” Last year, Li Xiang announced that the company plans to invest 10 billion yuan (1.4 billion USD) to build a network of 3000 superchargers around China by 2025. The 5C basically represents the idea that the battery can be charged five times within an hour.
This strategic partnership marks a milestone in Li Auto’s quest to build a robust charging network that addresses range anxiety, a key barrier to mass EV adoption. By tapping into CNPC’s extensive resources and nationwide footprint, Li Auto is poised to enhance the accessibility and convenience of its charging solutions for customers across China. Car owners of other makes and models can also benefit from these improvements, particularly during the busy holiday travel seasons.
Editors Note:
Li is not the first or only company to partner with an oil company for charging infrastructure. Nio started back in 2021, and other manufacturers, including Tesla, BYD, and Xpeng, have similar agreements.
Source: Sohu
