Electricity use for EV charging in China keeps rising far faster than overall demand. The National Energy Administration (NEA) reported on October 21, 2026 that the charging and battery-swapping service industry consumed 131.5 billion kWh in January–September, up 55.4% year on year. Total national electricity consumption grew 3.9% over the same period.
Key Takeaways
- China’s charging and swapping services used 131.5 billion kWh in Jan–Sep 2026.
- That is 55.4% more than a year earlier.
- September alone reached 16.8 billion kWh, up 57.0%.
- Total national electricity use grew 3.9%.
Key Figures
| Indicator | September 2026 | Jan–Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Charging and swapping services | 16.8 billion kWh (+57.0%) | 131.5 billion kWh (+55.4%) |
| Internet data services | 9.8 billion kWh (+35.4%) | 79.3 billion kWh (+41.6%) |
| Total consumption | 899.7 billion kWh (+1.2%) | 8,073.4 billion kWh (+3.9%) |
Background
The NEA groups charging and battery swapping with high-tech manufacturing and data services as the fastest-growing segments of demand. Residential consumption fell 6.0% in September, which the NEA attributes mainly to a typhoon and cooler weather reducing air-conditioning demand.
What It Means
Charging energy growing more than ten times faster than total demand shows how quickly utilization of China’s charging network is rising. For operators everywhere, the lesson is that energy sold per charger, not just charger count, drives returns. Smart scheduling and off-peak tariffs help sites handle growth without new grid capacity. Overseas partners can explore our distributor program.
Related Reading
- EV Charging News: China Reaches 24.777 Million Charging Connectors at the End of September
- EV Charging News: China’s Highway Charging Hits 163 Million kWh Over the National Day Holiday
- What Is EV Charger Load Balancing? How Multi-Charger Sites Share Power
