German luxury carmaker Porsche will shut down all of its self-operated electric vehicle charging facilities in China from March 2026, as part of a broader strategic realignment in the world’s largest EV market, the company confirmed on Monday.
The move follows the circulation of an internal memo earlier in the day and was first reported by local media outlet Yicai. According to the memo, Porsche’s self-built charging network in China—covering around 200 charging stations—will be gradually phased out, with the company shifting toward deeper cooperation with third-party charging operators.
“As market conditions evolve and user charging habits continue to change, Porsche regularly evaluates the role its charging services play in supporting daily mobility,” the memo said. “To better align with current demands and prioritize user convenience and experience, Porsche China has decided to optimize its high-power charging services.”
Porsche said its proprietary charging stations will also be removed from the charging map within its mobile application, signaling a full exit from direct operation of charging infrastructure in the country.
The decision comes as Porsche faces mounting challenges in China’s rapidly evolving automotive market, where domestic electric vehicle brands have expanded aggressively into the premium segment. Porsche entered China in 2001 and saw years of steady growth, with the country becoming its largest single market globally in 2015. Sales peaked in 2021 at 95,671 vehicles.
Since then, however, volumes have come under pressure amid intensifying competition and the rapid electrification of China’s car market. Earlier this year, Porsche announced plans to reduce its retail footprint in China, aiming to scale back to around 100 sales locations by 2027.
In December 2024, several Chinese media outlets also reported that Porsche China was planning to cut its workforce by about 30%, although the company has not publicly detailed those plans.
The withdrawal from self-operated charging infrastructure underscores a shift in strategy as foreign automakers reassess investment priorities and operating models in China’s highly competitive EV ecosystem.