Li Auto targets over 5,000 supercharging stations by 2025 in China

Chinese EV maker Li Auto is stepping-up its charging infrastructure efforts in the country, to meet the emerging needs of the electric car market, as the company is planning to launch new EVs in the coming years. 

The automaker aims to operationalize over 5,000 supercharging stations spanning across 90 percent of main highway routes, core urban areas in Tier 4 and around developed cities in mainland China by the year 2025, according to news reports. 

At present, the count of supercharging stations under the brand is 349. The target is to achieve at least 2,000 stations by the end of this year, covering nine major horizontal and vertical highways connecting the length and breadth of the country. 

To this effect, Li Auto is said to invest more than $ 835 million in the coming years with the introduction of 5C charging piles to a majority of stations, as against the now prevalent 2C superchargers, the reports adds, citing the company's official social media update.

With the 5C charging systems, the stations can theoretically charge electric cars in just one-fifth of an hour. The company claims that more than 70 percent of the highway charging stations will feature 5C charging piles.

The push for enhanced charging infrastructure under Li Auto is in corollary to the brand's expanding product portfolio. The latest to join the company stable is Li Mega MPV, the brand's first BEV with 500 km driving range and fast charging capabilities. So far, the company has been selling extended-range electric vehicles in China.

Li Auto is expected to launch Li L6 EREV in the coming months, followed by three all-electric SUVs later this year, including a potential Tesla Model Y competitor.

(With inputs from CnEVPost)