Summary of Key Points
This article focuses on the rumor of "mandatory removal of charging piles nationwide," revealing the traffic-generating tactics behind it and the marketing strategies used by businesses. It also delves into the real issues facing the charging pile industry: 49.1% of the charging piles are substandard and pose safety hazards; there are difficulties throughout the entire process, such as property management obstruction and insufficient power supply during installation; there is an imbalance in the distribution of public and private charging piles (private piles account for 78%, but they only benefit those with fixed parking spaces, while the utilization rate of public piles is less than 10%); and consumers are often deceived due to a lack of information. The article points out that the core of the new CCC certification regulations is to regulate new charging piles, not the existing ones. The true elimination of substandard products will come through market forces, rather than government-mandated removal.
I. Behind the Rumor: Who Is Creating the Panic About "Mandatory Removal"?
The rapid spread of the rumor is driven by multiple interests:
- Short-video creators generating traffic: They only highlight the statement in the policy that new charging piles must have CCC certification starting August 1st, omitting the key clause that existing piles are not affected. Using keywords like "mandatory removal" and "fines," they attract attention, and algorithms then target car owners with these alarming messages.
- Businesses clearing inventory or promoting new products: Manufacturers of inferior charging piles have excess stock, and brands need to create demand for their new products by claiming that old piles are no longer usable, encouraging customers to upgrade. For example, some car owners who spent several thousand yuan on compliant old piles may be forced to pay again to replace them after the property management cut off their power supply, even though the old piles were completely legal.
- Property management using the opportunity to control: Under the pretext of compliance, they temporarily prohibit the use of private charging piles or even cut off power, which saves them management hassle and may generate additional fees.
In the end, those who spread the rumor gain traffic and sales, while car owners end up paying extra costs, with consumers being the true losers.
II. How Dangerous Are Those 49.1% of Substandard Piles?
The rumor is false, but the problem with substandard charging piles is real. A 2025 inspection revealed that nearly half of the charging piles did not meet safety standards. The main issues include:
- Abnormal behavior during charging: Poor-quality piles may not shut down safely in case of leaks or accidental removal, potentially leading to electric arcs or fires.
- Irregular power-on processes: Instead of following the proper sequence of plugging in, checking for compatibility, and conducting safety tests, substandard piles turn on immediately, similar to logging into an account without entering a password, posing a significant risk.
The purpose of the new CCC regulations is to prevent substandard products from entering the market, not to eliminate old ones. After August 1st, only new charging piles will need certification, but who will warn car owners about the safety risks associated with the old piles?
III. Installing Charging Piles Is More Difficult Than Removing Them: The Real Bottlenecks in the Chain
The claim of "mandatory removal" is false, but the difficulty of installing charging piles is a real issue for many car owners:
- Obstruction by property management: In Shanghai, property management initially agrees to allow the installation of charging piles but later changes their mind; in Beijing, car owners are required to obtain approval through a homeowners' meeting, and even court rulings may not result in immediate compliance.
- Property rights and power supply issues: Older residential areas often have transformers with limited capacity. For example, 20 private 7-kilowatt charging piles in a community of 200 households can consume 17.5% of the total capacity. Installing public charging piles requires the consent of all residents, which is often unfeasible for ordinary homeowners.
- Dangerous alternative charging methods: Car owners without fixed parking spaces have to use extension cords, which can be damaged and cause electrical hazards. In Nanchang, the number of electric vehicles has increased by 45% in a year, making this a common workaround.
The difficulty in installing charging piles is not due to any single issue; it's a systemic problem involving property rights, power supply, and community cooperation.
IV. The Truth About the Claim of 23.05 Million Charging Piles
Although the total number of charging piles in China seems large, the reality is more modest:
- Dominance of private piles: 78% of the piles are private, benefiting only those with fixed parking spaces, while public piles account for just 22%, with a growth rate of -43.5% (only 292,000 new public piles added in the first half of 2026).
- Profitability of public charging piles: Building a charging station with 10 fast-charging piles costs around 600,000 yuan, and the daily utilization rate is less than 10%, meaning it takes 3 to 8 years to recoup the investment, deterring capital investment.
- Uneven distribution: Ten major provinces and cities, including Guangdong and Zhejiang, account for 66.2% of public charging piles, while the northeastern highways have only 0.27% of the total. This means drivers in the northeast may struggle to find charging facilities.
For car owners without fixed parking spaces, the figure of 23.05 million charging piles is meaningless—they simply cannot use them.
V. The Information Gap: Why Are Consumers the Victims?
The policy clearly states that only new charging piles are subject to regulation, but why do car owners believe the rumor? The root cause is a lack of information:
- Car owners not reading the full policy: Many rely on short videos and business calls for information, which often distort the policy intent, creating anxiety.
- Charging installation fees: Car manufacturers may offer free installation, but additional costs for wiring, drilling, and accessories are common. Property management also charges for using their facilities, and third-party service providers profit from hidden fees.
- Difficulties in enforcing the law: Although courts order property management to cooperate, the time and financial cost of legal action far exceed the cost of the charging piles themselves, and even a successful lawsuit may not result in actual installation.
The information gap allows some to profit at the expense of car owners' peace of mind.
VI. What Really Needs to Be "Removed?"
What really needs to be addressed are not the old charging piles but rather the information asymmetry that confuses car owners, the marketing tactics used by businesses and influencers, and the systemic failure to communicate the risks associated with substandard products. The new CCC regulations are a step in the right direction, but to truly benefit consumers, solutions are needed to overcome installation barriers, raise safety awareness, and reduce hidden fees—these are the real obstacles that need to be addressed in the charging pile industry.