It has been abundantly clear for quite some time that China is serious about pushing electric vehicles – and now there is some physical evidence to match the legislation and hype.
The country’s largest electric vehicle charging stations were put into service earlier this week as two stations with 134 stands were opened at the Universiade Centre in Shenzen.
The centre is equipped with six express charges that can provide charging to taxis, buses and cars and the station is large enough to serve 12 automobiles at once. It has been boosted by a 10.52million yuan investment. Meanwhile, 134 charging poles have been erected primarily in public and community car parks in each district of Shenzen with the majority using the slow charging mode that facilitates drivers to charge their cars during the off-peak period overnight.
The electric vehicle charging station is seen as a landmark project. With Shenzen to host the World University Games in August 2011, it has been built at a cost of $548million and includes a main sports stadium, swimming complex and multi-functional arena. All shuttle buses between the village and main event venues will be powered by green energy.
Shenzen was originally selected as one of 14 model cities to promote energy saving and new energy vehicles by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance and the National Development and Reform Commission in March, 2009. It is hoped that by 2012, the city will boast more than 24,000 new energy vehicles and that this number will increase to 100,000 – around six per cent of the overall total – by 2015.
