Beijing, China --- (METERING.COM) --- March 19, 2010 - The State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) has announced plans to accelerate the building of electric vehicle charging stations in 27 cities in 2010.

Plans are for 75 public charging stations, 6,209 AC charging spots and some battery replacement stations, with the aim of supporting the country's "Energy efficient and new energy vehicle pilot program.”

Since 2006, the SGCC has acqiured 101 electric vehicles and constructed 30 pilot charging stations, and has cooperated with the Beijing municipal government in the design of seven electric bus lines and manufacture of 58 electric buses.

The SGCC also has completed the writing of six industrial standards covering among other aspects the general technical requirements, design guidance, and power supply requirements of electric vehicle charging stations, and has initiated an assessment on key technology research and operation of charging stations.

According to recent reports in the Chinese press large scale construction of the country’s smart grid is due to start in 2011, with substantial progress due by 2015.

A key element of China’s smart grid will be the ultra high voltage (UHV) transmission technology that is under development by the SGCC. In late December 2009 the SGCC announced the successful energization of the Xiangjiaba-Shanghai 800kV UHV DC demonstration, while in early January the Jindongnan-Nanyang-Jinmen UHV AC demonstration achieved one year of safe and stable operation.