China adds 7 million charging outlets in 12 months, reaching 23.1 million by mid 2026

China's National Energy Administration reports the country's EV charging network grew 43% year on year to 23.1 million outlets by the end of June 2026. Private charging points drove the expansion, rising 50% to 18 million units with 155 million kilovolt-amperes of combined capacity, while fast-charging installations increased to meet owner demand. The growth supports government efforts to accelerate new energy vehicle adoption, even as NEV sales fell 13% to 5.09 million units in the first half of 2026, still capturing over 51% of the passenger car market.

Why it matters: The 7 million unit annual increase underscores the scale and pace at which Chinese infrastructure is being deployed, setting a benchmark for procurement volumes and network density that Western markets are still working to match. The 50% surge in private installations also signals a shift in charging business models, with implications for public CPO strategies and hardware suppliers targeting residential or workplace segments.