Li Auto, Sinopec enter into strategic partnership in EV charging field

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On October 12, 2024, Li Auto and Sinopec officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly advance their efforts in the electric vehicle (EV) charging sector.

Under the agreement, Li Auto and Sinopec will collaborate on several key areas, including the construction of charging stations, platform integration, and offering maintenance card benefits. The goal is to enhance the charging experience for users, providing a more seamless and efficient service.

"This partnership represents another milestone for Li Auto as we work with comprehensive energy service providers to enhance the charging experience," said Sun Guangmin, Vice President of Li Auto. "Sinopec's extensive energy network will help elevate the charging experience for both extended-range and fully electric Li Auto owners, ensuring they can recharge with ease and travel worry-free."

Photo creditt: Li Auto

The collaboration has already seen progress, with the first joint charging station launched on July 1, 2024, at Hechuan Service Area in Chongqing. This station features one 5C ultra-fast charging terminal with a maximum power of 520kW and three 2C fast-charging terminals with a power of up to 250kW. The initial phase of the cooperation aims to build 100 co-branded supercharging stations nationwide.

In terms of platform integration, as of September 29, users can locate and activate Sinopec charging stations across the country through the Li Auto app. During the National Day holiday, users in 29 provinces successfully used Sinopec's charging infrastructure via the app. High-power liquid-cooled charging stations, exceeding 240kW, will also be available at Li Auto's premium charging sites, further improving the charging experience.

Li Auto's "Dual Energy Strategy," launched in April 2023, focuses on intelligent and electric energy solutions. By leveraging high-voltage fast-charging technology, the company has rapidly expanded its charging network. As of October 1, 2024, Li Auto has established over 900 supercharging stations, with more than 550 located along major expressways and 340 in 64 cities across China, covering key economic regions.

Sinopec, benefiting from its extensive energy station network, is actively embracing the energy transition. By October 12, 2024, Sinopec had built over 8,600 charging stations nationwide, including comprehensive service stations that offer fuel, EV charging, car washes, retail, dining, and even leisure activities like camping.

Following the integration of Sinopec's charging platform, Li Auto has now interconnected with several leading charging service providers in China. The Li Auto app's "Charging Map" has so far connected to more than 80,000 charging stations, encompassing around 970,000 charging terminals, ensuring an optimized charging experience for its users nationwide.