China’s Spring Festival Travel Surge Sees Record NEV Adoption as Families Hit the Road for a Greener, More Convenient Holiday Journey Across the Country

As China’s Spring Festival travel surge unfolds, a record number of NEV adopters are taking to the roads, embracing a greener and more convenient way to journey home. With millions of families hitting the road this year, the shift towards new energy vehicles (NEVs) has gained tremendous momentum, marking a significant change in how people celebrate the holiday. As the travel rush intensifies, more families are opting for the flexibility and affordability that driving an NEV provides. With improving technologies, faster charging stations, and longer battery life, these vehicles have made long-distance travel not only feasible but enjoyable.

Families are now able to make greener choices while saving time and money on the way to reunite with loved ones. This year, the Spring Festival marks a turning point, with NEVs playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of holiday travel in China.

NEVs Gaining Popularity During the Spring Festival Travel Rush

This year, Wu Yang, an electric vehicle (EV) owner from Shanghai, is choosing to drive his newly purchased NEV to his hometown in Hubei Province, covering more than 1,200 kilometers. This choice reflects a broader shift in China’s travel habits, where an increasing number of families are opting for the flexibility and comfort that driving an NEV offers during the holiday rush. For Wu, the cost of traveling by electric car is significantly lower than buying train tickets for his family of four, saving over 1,300 yuan.

Driving an NEV also allows Wu and his family to bring along their gifts and luggage, which would otherwise be difficult to manage on public transport. With a vehicle-mounted fridge and a car display screen, they can also enjoy a road trip complete with refreshments and entertainment. Wu highlights how the experience of traveling at their own pace and spending more time together as a family is one of the biggest advantages of driving home in an NEV.

Overcoming Early Concerns with Advancing Technology

In the past, long road trips in electric vehicles were often marred by concerns about battery drain, charging infrastructure, and the potential for being stranded on the road. However, improvements in NEV technology and China’s rapidly expanding charging infrastructure have largely alleviated these worries. Wu, for example, can now rely on his electric car’s 600-kilometer range on a full charge, and he has already mapped out five charging stops for the journey.

This change in consumer behavior is indicative of a larger trend. The Ministry of Transport has predicted that the number of trips made by NEVs during this year’s Spring Festival will reach a record-breaking 380 million. The shift to electric mobility in China is also seen as an important milestone for the country’s ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable transportation.

China’s Surge in NEV Adoption

Electric vehicles have rapidly gained popularity in China over the past decade, with nearly 44 million NEVs expected to be on the roads by the end of 2025. In 2025 alone, approximately 13 million NEVs were registered, accounting for almost half of all new car registrations. This rapid adoption is driven by innovations in NEV technology, such as longer ranges, faster charging times, and better performance in extreme weather conditions, including cold temperatures.

According to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the average range of Chinese-made electric vehicles has increased to nearly 500 kilometers, while their average charging speed has improved by more than threefold over the past five years. This advancement has made long-distance travel in NEVs more feasible and less stressful.

Technological Advances Address Winter Travel Challenges

One of the challenges that electric vehicle owners in colder regions face is the ability to keep their car’s battery from performing poorly in freezing temperatures. Xiaogan Huagong Gaoli Electronics Co., Ltd., a company based in Hubei Province, has developed a solution to this problem. They produce PTC heaters that warm up rapidly, ensuring that NEV batteries remain in good condition even in the harshest winter weather.

These heaters have been installed in tens of millions of NEVs across the country, ensuring that drivers can enjoy both comfort and optimal battery performance during their journeys. Traditional gasoline vehicles rely on engine-generated heat for warming the cabin, but NEVs, which do not have an engine to produce heat, require an alternative solution.

China’s Expanding EV Charging Infrastructure

One of the main reasons behind the growing adoption of NEVs, particularly in rural and remote areas, is China’s extensive network of charging stations. As of December 2025, the number of electric vehicle charging facilities in China surpassed 20 million, making it the world’s largest EV charging network. Charging stations are now installed in more than 98 percent of China’s service zones, ensuring that long-distance travelers like Wu Yang no longer need to worry about running out of charge during their journey.

The government’s push to expand charging infrastructure to rural areas has further facilitated the adoption of NEVs during the Spring Festival travel rush. With charging stations increasingly accessible near tourist attractions, hotels, and small towns, the convenience of traveling in an electric car has improved significantly.

Tailored Plans for Spring Festival Charging Services

To accommodate the surging demand for EV charging during the Spring Festival, the Ministry of Transport has created a list of high-traffic service areas along major highways. These areas will receive additional resources, including expanded charging spaces and high-power fast-charging stations. The aim is to provide NEV drivers with a seamless experience, allowing them to recharge quickly and continue their journey without delays.

The expanding presence of charging stations along highways and in rural areas highlights the increasing importance of NEVs in China’s transportation landscape. For travelers like Li Lei, who drove to Shiyan in Hubei Province ahead of the Spring Festival, the charging infrastructure is no longer a concern. Li remarked that it was easy to find charging stations, whether near tourist attractions or outside hotels, making the entire travel experience more convenient.

NEVs and the Future of Travel in China

As NEV adoption continues to rise and charging infrastructure expands across the country, more and more travelers are choosing electric vehicles as their preferred mode of transportation. The Ministry of Transport’s projections for this year’s Spring Festival travel season underscore the growing role of NEVs in China’s long-distance travel landscape. As this shift continues, the country is well on its way to achieving its sustainability goals while offering travelers a more flexible and convenient way to journey home during the busiest travel period of the year.

For Wu Yang and countless other NEV owners, the Spring Festival is no longer just a time to reunite with family; it’s also an opportunity to experience the benefits of China’s rapidly advancing electric mobility. With improved technology, more charging stations, and an increasing number of families opting to drive, NEVs are poised to play a key role in the future of Chinese travel.

Source: Ministry of Transport, People’s Republic of China

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