Latest Tonglu EV Hub opens in Hangzhou, China – George Zheng reports
Huge EV Hubs are developing fast in China.
George Zheng, NACS Asia Pacific Director, recently reported on the Tonglu Travel Centre which flanks both sides of the major G25 Expressway near Hangzhou in Zhejiang province. George describes the new EV Hub development on the newly built ‘south zone’ side of this location as ‘a groundbreaking project, redefining sustainable transportation infrastructure’.
108 High-power charging piles in Tonglu including 40 super fast 600KW units
Overview of the Tonglu Travel Centre
This extension of the Tonglu Travel Centre in Hangzhou is part of a broader transformation of Tonglu county into a dynamic hub for innovation, industry and tourism. Hangzhou Hangqian Expressway Development Company LTD, a state-owned enterprise under Hangzhou Communications Investment Group, manages the site. The location has already been honoured in “China’s Top 100 Exemplary Travel Centres” and “Zhejiang’s Most Beautiful Highway Travel Centres” for its’ innovative design, eco-friendly practices, and customer-centric amenities.
This travel centre has a massive footprint, spanning 294 acres with 69,964 sqm of construction area. It is divided into North and South zones flanking the G25 highway and now features 108 High-power charging piles, including 40 super fast 600KW units.
The newly built south zone EV charging hub is designed to eliminate “range anxiety” for long-distance EV drivers. According to George; ‘with 108 high-power charging piles, including 40 supercharging (600kw) units, the station supports a staggering 3,000 charging sessions daily. The superchargers delivers up to 600 kW, enabling EVs to gain 300 km of range in just 5–6 minutes – nearly equivalent to a carbon fuels top up!’
There is a very large parking area.The expanded facility now boasts 505 parking spots in the North Zone and 474 spots in the South Zone. The highway sees ~29,000 daily vehicles during peak holidays including more than 4,000 EVs.
The Tonglu Travel Centre gas stations have always been operated by SINOPEC Hangzhou Branch, with each zone featuring 6 fuel dispensers. They continue to retail gasoline (Ron 92, 95 and 98) and diesel.
In an important development, the Tonglu travel centre doubles as a culinary destination, hosting international brands such as Starbucks, KFC and Häagen-Dazs. It also features local & traditional cuisine: Zhanglala Beef Noodles, Zhiweiguan (Hangzhou noodle soup, dumpling Xiaolongbao), and regional specialties like fried chicken, Chuanchuan (skewers). This looks very impressive.
Zhanglala Beef Noodle
Guli Fried Chicken
Technicians are checking the liquid-cooling charging pile
Solar Scale and Carbon Reduction: The newly built charging station’s canopy is equipped with 2,260 kW of solar panels, generating clean energy locally. Coupled with a 430 kWh energy storage system, it achieves 100% green energy consumption and minimizes grid reliance. Annually, this system will replace 5.12 million kWh of grid electricity and reduce annual carbon emissions by 2,860 metric tons.
2,260KW Solar Panels Canopy
Battery Energy Storage and Grid Stability: The 430 kWh battery energy storage plays a critical role in load shifting and peak shaving, stabilizing grid demand during high-traffic periods. This ensures efficient green energy consumption and grid stability and reliability.
Green Energy Consumption
A Global Model for Future Mobility
China Tonglu’s facility is more than a charging hub—it’s a fully integrated, sustainable ecosystem. According to George: ‘If future expansions include high-power solutions for heavy-duty commercial vehicles (e.g., electric trucks), this model could become a global benchmark for zero-emission freight corridors.The Tonglu travel center exemplifies China’s leadership in EV charging mobility infrastructure. By merging solar generation, battery storage, and ultra-fast charging, it offers a blueprint for future travel center HVAC systems worldwide’.
By George Zheng, NACS Asia Pacific Director – join George and his NACS colleagues at Convenience Summit Asia in Shanghai next February.
