Factor Analysis Based on the Spatial Layout of Charging Stations in Hohhot

Against the backdrop of the global transportation green transition, charging station layout is a critical link in promoting new energy vehicles. Existing research has paid little attention to cities with severe cold climates and significant pollution, and overlooked the geographical perspective. This study focuses on the four districts in the city of Hohhot (Saihan, Xincheng, Huimin, Yuquan), filling the research gap on spatial patterns of charging infrastructure in this region. Based on POI data and 1 km-resolution population raster data, ArcGIS spatial analysis methods were used to analyze charging station distribution characteristics, combined with GeoDetector to quantify nine contributing factors. The findings are as follows. 1. Spatial pattern: Charging stations exhibit northeast-southwest directional clustering (ellipse rotation angle: [Formula: see text]), showing high coupling with transportation corridors and gentle slope terrain; 2. Spatial structure: An uneven “four-core with peripheral zones” pattern emerges, where high kernel density zones coincide with densely populated areas; 3. Layout association: Significant spatial coincidence exists between charging stations and gas stations (Ripley’s K test: Observed K [Formula: see text] HiConfEnv); 4. Driving mechanism: Business/office space ([Formula: see text]) and economic factors ([Formula: see text]) are key contributing factors, while leisure space ([Formula: see text]) has weak influence. Charging station layout in Hohhot is jointly constrained by topography, transportation orientation, and economic activity intensity. We recommend prioritizing upgrades to integrated energy stations along the northeast-southwest axis in commercial zones and optimizing peripheral coverage based on population density gradients, providing a scientific paradigm for charging infrastructure planning in cold-region cities.