During the recent holiday peak in China, highway charging stations faced significant congestion. At one rest area in Hubei province, approximately 200 vehicles were waiting simultaneously for access to charging equipment, including a large number of extended-range electric vehicles.
To manage the traffic, station operators implemented a new rule requiring drivers to vacate charging spots once their battery reaches 80 percent capacity. This measure aims to address the technical reality that lithium-ion batteries charge significantly slower after passing the 80 percent threshold, often taking as long to charge the final 20 percent as the initial 80 percent.
The policy has sparked debate between owners of full electric vehicles and extended-range hybrids. Hybrid owners argue they need full charges for long trips to account for traffic or cold weather. Conversely, owners of full electric vehicles contend that they lack the alternative of an internal combustion engine and rely solely on charging infrastructure to continue their journey.
