China builds first smart zone for EV charging and battery-swapping

Construction of China's first smart electric vehicle (EV) charging and battery-swapping demonstration zone has been completed in the eastern province of Jiangsu, which will shorten the queuing time needed for EV charging.

The zone covers nearly 500 square km in the cities of Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou. It is expected to serve over 500,000 new energy vehicle (NEV) drivers with about 1,300 charging piles according to State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Co., Ltd. Battery swap facilities, which allow vehicles to change batteries in just 80 seconds will also be introduced in Wuxi before being promoted across the entire zone.