China Introduces New Regulations: Automakers Must Fully Open Supercharging Stations, Breaking Brand Barriers

Four Chinese government agencies mandate that automakers’ self-built high-power charging facilities must be open to all users, aiming to avoid redundant construction and resource waste.

On July 7, the General Office of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), along with three other ministries, jointly issued the Notice on Promoting the Scientific Planning and Construction of High-Power Charging Infrastructure. A key requirement is clearly stated: new energy vehicle (NEV) companies’ self-built high-power charging networks should, in principle, be open to all users without discrimination.

Key points from the official notice include:

Project developers must comply with relevant regulations such as the Administrative Measures for Enterprise Investment Project Approvals and Filings. Local authorities responsible for charging infrastructure development, together with investment management agencies, must strengthen oversight to prevent resource waste and disorganized construction. Governments should guide the efficient use of resources and support capable and experienced operators in building, upgrading, and operating charging stations. There is a particular focus on deploying dedicated high-power charging facilities for buses, logistics fleets, and medium- to heavy-duty trucks. Importantly, NEV automakers’ self-built high-power charging networks should be open to all users without discrimination. In addition, the notice encourages integrating charging stations with commercial services like dining, entertainment, shopping, and automotive services to improve the overall charging experience.

This means that proprietary supercharging networks operated by automakers like Tesla, Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA), and Li Auto will gradually open to NEV owners of all brands, ending brand-exclusive charging barriers.

The new policy focuses on maximizing the efficient use of charging resources and promoting fair access. Automakers are required to open their self-built high-power charging stations without discrimination, avoiding redundant construction and resource waste. The notice also promotes a “charging station + multi-service” model, encouraging the integration of charging sites with commercial activities like dining and shopping to enhance the user experience.

According to the plan, by the end of 2027, China aims to deploy over 100,000 high-power charging stations nationwide. Highway service areas will be a priority for upgrades, with charging stations that see utilization rates above 40% during major holidays set to receive priority for high-power upgrades.

For reference, here’s the current level of openness among self-operated supercharging networks from some major NEV brands in China:

• Tesla: Started limited site trials for public access in 2023, but overall accessibility remains limited. Non-Tesla vehicles are charged 1.5–2 times higher service fees and face steep overtime parking fees (up to $0.90/minute).
• Li Auto: Uses a “whitelist” mechanism that only allows Li Auto’s pure electric models (such as MEGA, L8, L6) to access its 5C supercharging network. Third-party vehicles currently cannot unlock the charging stalls or use the charging guns.
• BYD: Has not built a proprietary supercharging network, primarily relying on third-party public charging stations. The recently announced megawatt fast-charging stations mainly serve BYD’s own high-end models and are not yet open to third-party vehicles.
• NIO: 100% of its charging stations are open to third parties, with 80% of usage coming from non-NIO vehicles.
• XPeng and Zeekr: Both brands have fully open supercharging networks but prioritize their own users through membership discounts and points systems.

The introduction and enforcement of this new policy will once again reshape the NEV charging landscape in China. By mandating open access to privately built charging stations, automakers like Tesla will see their brand-exclusive charging advantage diminished. This may prompt brands like Tesla and Li Auto to expand the openness of their networks further. In the short term, however, automakers may still maintain some flexible barriers, such as tiered pricing or time-based access restrictions.