China Begins Converting Traditional Gas Stations into EV Charging Hubs (2 Photos)

The conversions are being carried out with the approval and backing of oil giant Sinopec.





BYD is expanding its Flash Charging network by converting a Sinopec gas station in Shanghai into a dedicated EV charging hub.

This is no ordinary station—it is a full-fledged charging hub featuring 12 signature T-shaped megawatt superchargers, an automated 24/7 convenience store with digital payments, and a lounge area equipped with comfortable seating and health-monitoring devices for checking blood pressure and blood composition, CarNewsChina reports.

Internal combustion engine vehicles can no longer fill up here, as the entire fuel infrastructure has been completely dismantled. Replacing the former underground fuel tanks are Blade Battery energy storage systems, each offering a capacity of 169–185 kWh. These buffer batteries prevent grid overload, enabling the station to draw just 100 kW during operation while recharging its internal storage during idle periods.



The Shanghai facility is the first fast-charging hub converted and jointly operated by Sinopec and BYD. A similar fate is expected for many of Sinopec's other gas stations across the country—a massive network of more than 30,000 locations.