Discover how ultra‑fast electric‑vehicle charging hubs along Beijing’s highways keep the world’s biggest spring migration on schedule. Read more now!
The Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) travel period in 2026 saw an unprecedented flow of vehicles along the Beijing‑Shanghai corridor. At the Majuqiao service area, located at a key gateway connecting Beijing with the wider north‑east region, traffic moved smoothly thanks to a dense network of ultra‑fast electric‑vehicle (EV) chargers.
Why the migration matters
From 2 February to 13 March, more than 9.5 billion inter‑regional trips were expected, making this the largest “spring‑travel” rush in China’s history. Private cars are projected to account for about 80 % of journeys, while rail and air transport handle the remaining share.
Ultra‑fast charging infrastructure
Beijing’s highway system now features over 530 charging pillars, including 66 ultra‑fast stations capable of delivering up to 600 kW. Some newer sites use liquid‑cooled systems that can push power to 720 kW, allowing compatible NEVs (new‑energy vehicles) to recharge from 0 % to 80 % in roughly 15 minutes.
- Green‑coded stations (yellow) for ultra‑fast charging.
- Blue‑coded stations for standard fast charging.
- 24/7 mobile charging units deployed on high‑traffic routes.
Driver experience: a case study
Xu, a Beijing resident who switched to an NEV a year ago, described his routine at Majuqiao:
He pulls into a yellow‑marked ultra‑fast charger, scans the QR code on the pole, and rests inside his cabin. After about 20 minutes the car displays a range of roughly 500 km, and Xu is back on the road.
“Fast charging now takes 20‑30 minutes, and I rarely charge at home because the highway stations are quicker,” he said. “The app shows the nearest available pole, and the car alerts me when it needs power, eliminating the old anxiety of running out of juice.”
Economic and regulatory benefits
Charging costs are modest – a full top‑up costs only a few dozen yuan. Xu typically charges to 80 % for about 100‑200 CNY (roughly $15‑$30), enough to cover half a month of commuting.
Beijing’s licence‑plate traffic restrictions, which limit certain vehicles on specific days, make the flexibility of an EV even more attractive.
Future outlook
By the end of 2025, China is expected to have nearly 44 million NEVs on the road, with 12.93 million newly registered in 2025 alone. The highway charging network will expand by more than 71,500 charging sockets, including 20,000 added in 2025.
The Ministry of Transport has announced a plan to install over 10,000 new charging pillars in 2026, a quarter of which will be high‑power units, further smoothing the journey for green‑energy drivers.
With ultra‑fast charging now a staple of China’s highway system, the world’s biggest seasonal migration is set to become faster, greener, and more reliable than ever before.