Shanghai launches first expressway ultra-fast charging station

Shanghai's first smart ultra-fast charging station for electric vehicles (EVs) officially began operations at the Fengjing Service Area on the G60 Shanghai-Kunming Expressway recently, marking a key step in the city’s push to green its transportation sector and ease long-distance EV travel concerns.

The station offers EV drivers a faster, more convenient charging experience, especially during holidays and long-distance travel. It supplements the existing 28 DC fast-charging piles with the addition of two advanced ultra-fast charging units, each supporting four charging posts and eight charging guns. This expansion brings the total simultaneous charging capacity to 16 vehicles at the new superchargers, significantly boosting the service area's overall power supply. 

Using advanced liquid-cooling technology, the new chargers can deliver up to 640 kW per gun. This enables EVs to regain about 200 kilometers of range in just five minutes—making charging at least five times faster than with conventional DC chargers. What used to take half an hour or more now takes only minutes, significantly reducing “charging anxiety” for long-distance EV travel.

The user experience has also been optimized. Drivers can start a charging session simply by scanning a QR code for the “e-charging” platform on the charger and following instructions. The process supports “plug-and-charge” with automatic payment upon completion, requiring no manual operation.

“During the past two years, charging frequency at Fengjing Service Area during holidays exceeded 1,000 sessions per day — about 10 times the usual volume,” said Wang Lihui of the State Grid Jinshan Power Supply Company. “By launching this station ahead of the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, we aim to directly address the express charging needs of EV drivers during peak travel times.” 

To handle the expected surge in charging demand during the upcoming holiday period, State Grid Shanghai Electric Power Company has implemented a special support plan. This includes 24/7 on-duty support teams, staff stationed at high-demand service areas, and deployment of mobile charging vehicles, charging robots, and movable “tidal” charging piles to ensure reliable service for EV owners.