Tesla, Nio Suspend EV Charging Services as China Power Cuts Bite
- Facilities in Chengdu, Chongqing have been taken offline
- Drought, heatwave gripping China has disrupted power supplies
Bloomberg News
August 23, 2022 at 10:57 PM EDT
China’s power crisis is affecting electric-car owners, with automakers including Tesla Inc. and Nio Inc. suspending some charging facilities.
User apps show charging stations are down in Chengdu in Sichuan province — where the nation’s worst drought since the 1960s has slashed hydropower generation at the same time a punishing heatwave has sent electricity demand surging — and the nearby city of Chongqing
How can anyone expect families today to shell out $70K for the average EV when they can’t afford to fill up their existing gas tanks? What’s more, the grid can’t handle recharging millions of EVs. And, in three years owners will have to replace the battery at an average cost of $8K. To most Americans contemplating purchasing an EV, careful you don’t step in the bullshit.
Arch, you’re right. The power grid is over 80 years old. It’s going to start blacking out or browning out in the next few years without all the EV demand.
Meanwhile, China whisks people around at 300kph on ultramodern, clean (and graffiti-free) mag-lev trains. On multiple lines!
But, not to worry! CA has their “Train to Nowhere,” (still under construction and billions over budget), American-made & all that.
Riiiiiiight.