China’s urban EV ultra-fast charging distorts regulated price signals and elevates risk to grid stability

Qing Yu, Pengjun Zhao (), Jiaxing Li, Han Wang, Jie Yan and Haoran Zhang ()
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Qing Yu: Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School
Pengjun Zhao: Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School
Jiaxing Li: Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School
Han Wang: North China Electric Power University
Jie Yan: North China Electric Power University
Haoran Zhang: Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract The wide adoption of electric vehicles is driving the rapid deployment of ultra-fast charging stations, particularly in China. This study uses simulations based on extensive real-world charging data from major Chinese cities and finds that deploying 2000 ultra-fast charging stations in a city may increase the peak-to-valley differences of the public charging load by up to 31.61% daily relative to baseline cases. While integrating energy storage systems can help smooth short-term load volatility, it may simultaneously exacerbate short-term demand surges, particularly during the transition from high- to low-price periods. Under an unregulated scenario, large-scale deployment of ultra-fast charging stations with energy storage could raise peak loads by over 70−85% by 2030 and multiply them by up to 7.5 times by 2050. These findings underscore that a comprehensive rethinking of grid management strategies and market frameworks will be essential to ensure urban energy resilience in an era of rapid electric vehicle expansion.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63199-3

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