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.
As of August 17, Tesla may have suspended or restricted use of more than 10 supercharging stations in Chengdu and Chongqing, with only two in operations at night, reported mainland news outlet citing local Tesla car owners.
Teld New Energy, which operate about 300,000 charging piles in china, has told car owners to check beforehand if charging piles are in services as the local government has required suspension of some charging stations. The company also offer discounts for charging services at nigh and early morning.
Meanwhile, NIO has called on car owners in Sichuan province to share private charging facilities during the period of August 20 – September 20.