Xpeng to open DC fast charging network in ASEAN this year – part of global Tesla Supercharger rival

Xpeng has announced it will be opening a global “ultra-fast charging network” starting in Southeast Asia this year. The news comes as the company shipped its first 300 units of the X9 luxury electric MPV to Thailand late last month, ahead of a local launch.

The Chinese electric vehicle specialist says it will begin setting up DC fast chargers in key markets such as Hong Kong and Thailand in the first half of the year. This will be followed by plans to expand this network across Asia, Europe and Australia, working with leading local charge point operators (CPOs) to “ensure a seamless charging experience.”

Also on the cards is an “overseas vehicle service network” that aims to make charging more convenient, accessible and faster. The goal here is to create a broader, faster and more cost-effective charging network to support the company’s global customer base.

Xpeng is clearly gunning for Tesla’s Supercharger network here, providing high-speed charging to buyers of its EVs. Its crop of global models, the G6 SUV and the aforementioned X9, utilise an 800-volt architecture and are capable of DC fast charging speeds in excess of 200 kW, so having tailor-made chargers will help owners maximise the capabilities of their cars more often.

Malaysia may not be listed as one of the countries getting the chargers first, but its inclusion in the network is highly likely given that it shares a land border with Thailand; it is also one of Xpeng’s first launch markets in the region. Distributor Bermaz launched the G6 in August and has recently opened registrations of interest for the X9 ahead of an impending launch.

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