China's first electric vehicle charging station put into service

China's first large electric charging station for electric vehicles—the Tangshan Nanhu EV Charging Station – was put into service on March 31. The station was built by the North China Grid Company, Ltd. in accordance with government-mandated design criteria.

The Nanhu Charging Station, with investment capital of more than 19 million yuan, is equipped with two large DC chargers, eight medium chargers and 10 charging spots and is able to charge 10 electric vehicles simultaneously.

On March 31, North China Grid and Tangshan municipal government signed a strategic cooperation agreement to promote the construction of electric vehicle charging facilities. Tangshan has put 19 electric vehicles into service on two demonstration electric bus routes. In addition, North China Grid has concluded agreements with five cities in northern Hebei province—Tangshan, Zhangjiakou, Qinhuangdao, Langfang and Chengde – to build three charging stations and 100 charging poles in 2010.