Golden Week Goes Electric: China’s Holiday Travel Becomes a Showcase for the Clean Economy - CleanTechnica

China’s Golden Week holiday, traditionally a peak period for gasoline demand due to massive travel, has seen a significant shift in 2025, highlighting the country’s rapid energy transition. Gasoline consumption fell by 9% year-over-year during the holiday, while electric and hybrid vehicle trips surged to about 20% of the roughly 63 million car journeys. Charging activity increased by 46%, reflecting growing traveler confidence in EV infrastructure. Additionally, rail travel reached record highs, with over 23 million passengers on October 1 alone, supported by China’s extensive high-speed rail network exceeding 48,000 kilometers. This shift from oil-powered travel to electrified vehicles and rail demonstrates a fundamental change in China’s transportation energy profile, with implications for reduced carbon emissions and a move toward cleaner energy sources. Supporting this transition, China’s Ministry of Transport reports a rapid expansion in EV charging infrastructure, including 18 million charging ports and a doubling of public fast chargers along highways since 2022. The country