In a strategic move to bolster its charging infrastructure, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Li Auto has signed an agreement with the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the country's largest oil company.

This partnership aims to accelerate the expansion of Li Auto's rapidly growing charging network, which already covers over 70% of China's major economic hubs and national highway corridors. As of 17th June, Li Auto has constructed 448 ''supercharging stations'' with a total of 2,016 charging piles nationwide. By the end of 2024, the company plans to install over 2,000 Li charging stations and 10,000 charging piles at CNPC service stations, achieving coverage of more than 90% in tier-one and tier-two city centres and over 70% along national highways.

Under the new agreement, Li Auto and CNPC will collaborate to develop charging infrastructure along highways and in urban areas. While the focus is on optimising the charging experience for Li vehicle owners, the two companies will also work to enable interconnectivity between their respective charging platforms.

''Our partnership with Li reflects a strategic shift towards green and low-carbon development. It will also accelerate the deployment of our 'oil-gas-hydrogen-electricity' sales and service network,'' said Xue Guoxing, a CNPC representative.

Li Auto's Head of Charging Network, Sun Guangmin, added, ''The collaboration will further drive the expansion of our Li 5C supercharging network, bringing a convenient charging experience akin to refuelling for our customers.'' Last year, Li Xiang, the company's founder, announced plans to invest CNY 10 billion (US$ 1.4 billion) to build a network of 3,000 superchargers around China by 2025. The ''5C'' represents the ability of the battery to charge five times within an hour.

This strategic partnership marks a milestone in Li Auto's efforts to build a robust charging network, addressing range anxiety a key barrier to mass EV adoption. By tapping into CNPC's extensive resources and nationwide footprint, Li Auto is poised to enhance the accessibility and convenience of its charging solutions for customers across China. Owners of other electric vehicles can also benefit from these improvements, particularly during busy holiday travel periods.