China’s massive EV charging network fuels rise of car‑camping lifestyle

China is rapidly expanding its electric‑vehicle charging infrastructure, with the National Energy Administration reporting more than 21 million public charging points slated for the first quarter of 2026 – about a 50 % increase over the previous year and covering roughly 98 % of highway service areas. The country now holds over 65 % of the world’s public chargers and about 80 % of fast‑charging units.

The extensive network is enabling a new travel trend: Chinese motorists are converting electric SUVs into mobile mini‑apartments, sleeping, cooking and livestreaming from their vehicles. A couple of former teachers, Junya Zhen and Jie Cui, have popularized the practice by touring the country in a Great Wall Motor Wey Lanshan hybrid, sharing their “car‑camping” experience with hundreds of thousands of followers. Analysts estimate the emerging market for such on‑the‑road accommodations could be worth tens of billions of dollars.

The surge in charging points supports an expanding fleet of around 40 million electric vehicles and offers a cost‑effective alternative to hotels, reshaping domestic tourism and the broader EV ecosystem in China.