Li Auto said it will launch its first automated charging station in the second quarter, as the Chinese electric vehicle maker seeks to simplify the charging experience and enhance user convenience.
The company said on Thursday that the system will reduce manual steps for drivers, from locating a station to parking and initiating charging, offering what it described as a more "relaxed and reassuring" travel experience.
The planned rollout comes as Li Auto continues to expand its charging infrastructure. The company has built more than 4,000 supercharging stations across China, equipped with over 22,000 charging points covering more than 280 cities.
Li Auto said it is increasingly focusing on faster charging technologies and improved user experience. Currently, nearly 70% of its network consists of 4C and 5C superchargers. The company added that the number of fully equipped 5C stations-where all chargers support the highest charging rates-has surpassed 570 nationwide.
Its 4C chargers deliver peak power of 360 kW, while 5C chargers reach up to 520 kW. According to previously released company data, a 5C charger can charge the Li Mega model from 10% to 80% in around 12 minutes.
The network has also seen rising usage. During the recent Chinese New Year travel period, Li Auto said its charging infrastructure supported more than 1.45 million charging sessions.
Automated energy replenishment is emerging as a competitive area among Chinese EV makers. Rival Nio has introduced automated battery-swapping capabilities, allowing vehicles to navigate to swap stations and complete the process with minimal driver involvement.
Nio has also expanded its infrastructure footprint, operating 3,760 battery swap stations and 4,943 charging stations across China. Earlier this year, the company introduced an updated driver-assistance system with navigation features linking urban battery swap sites.