China’s EV Boom Reshapes Fuel Demand During Golden Week

China's electric vehicle revolution has reached an inflection point, with nearly 50% of new car sales this year being EVs or hybrids. The trend manifested dramatically during October's Golden Week holiday, traditionally a peak gasoline demand period. Transport ministry data shows EVs accounted for a significant portion of the 63.5 million holiday trips, marking a structural shift in energy consumption patterns.

"Long-distance driving in an EV doesn't feel like a problem anymore," remarked Tianyu Jiang after completing a 2,000 km Sichuan-to-Beijing road trip in his electric car. His experience reflects a broader transformation as Chinese consumers increasingly trust EVs for intercity travel, not just urban commutes.

The demand destruction in gasoline markets has oil exporters bracing for Ripple effects. Golden Week typically sees fuel shortages, but this year brought reduced consumption despite record travel volumes. China's rapid EV adoption is rewriting the rules of energy markets faster than many analysts predicted.