New energy vehicles are charged at a supercharging station with integrated solar storage in Hangzhou. [Photo/VCG]

Zhejiang is promoting its clean energy transition with 1,315 green charging stations now in operation, delivering 40.37 million kWh of renewable electricity to more than 407,000 electric vehicles, according to State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power Co on Feb 26.

Unlike conventional coal-fired electricity, these stations tap into solar and wind power, cutting emissions from the transportation sector. Launched as a pilot program in Hangzhou and Huzhou, the initiative has expanded to fast-charging hubs, transit depots, commercial complexes, and airports.

During the Chinese New Year travel rush, Zhejiang's green chargers supplied 9.67 million kWh of clean energy.

Zhejiang has announced plans to build more than 2.3 million charging stations by 2025, with no less than 900,000 in rural areas, to meet the needs of over 4 million NEVs.

The province currently boasts more than 1.65 million NEVs, including over 350,000 units in rural areas. The province has almost completed building a NEV charging service network, in which vehicle owners can find charging poles in rural areas within an average driving distance of five kilometers, three kilometers on the outskirts and one kilometer within city limits.

Zhejiang aims to further improve the network so that by 2025, motorists can find a charging station within five minutes and 30 minutes of driving in urban and rural areas, respectively. The ratio of vehicles to charging stations is expected to be increased to 1.5:1 by 2025 from the current 1.6:1, the province announced.