Sinopec adapts its station network to the electric-vehicle shift
- China had about 110,000 gas stations at the end of 2025, 7.5% fewer than at the 2021 peak.
- Forecasts indicate about 20,000 stations will close, change ownership or exit through transformation between 2025 and 2030.
- Shanxi Petroleum had built 145 heavy-truck charging stations; charging volume rose 270% year on year from January to October.
- Sinopec agreed with CATL to jointly build 10,000 battery-swapping stations and partnered with BYD on charging networks.
Market shift
China’s new-energy vehicle sales rose from 17,600 in 2013 to 16.49 million in 2025, while refined-oil consumption fell about 3% year on year in 2025. The article cites forecasts of around 20,000 gas stations closing, changing ownership or exiting through transformation by 2030.
New station formats
Sinopec is shifting its network of more than 30,000 energy stations toward integrated services covering oil, gas, hydrogen, electricity and customer services. Examples include heavy-truck charging sites in Shanxi, combined charging and battery-swapping facilities in Shanghai, and more than 150 hydrogen refuelling stations nationwide. Sinopec also signed a framework agreement with BYD on charging networks and agreed with CATL to jointly build 10,000 battery-swapping stations.
Digital energy operations
Projects across the network combine photovoltaics, energy storage and charging, with systems for managing power use and costs. Sinopec is preparing a nationwide electricity-trading system; its charging business has integrated 180,000 terminals and uses forecasting tools to support electricity procurement. The article also describes virtual power plants aggregating charging, solar and storage assets for grid services.
Source: Sinopec