Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd (CATL), the world’s largest battery manufacturer, announced on Wednesday that it has co-developed 10 new electric vehicle (EV) models with automakers, all featuring swappable batteries. This development aligns with CATL’s strategy to promote battery swapping as a key alternative to traditional gasoline stations and standard EV charging methods in China.
Battery Swapping Revolution
Yang Jun, CEO of CATL’s battery-swapping brand EVOGO, revealed plans to launch the first EV equipped with its “choco-swap” battery this month, with additional models to follow in the coming months. CATL also aims to establish 1,000 battery-swapping stations next year and is seeking partnerships to accelerate station deployment.
CATL envisions battery swapping as a transformative solution, predicting that 30,000-40,000 swapping stations could replace one-third of China’s 100,000 gasoline stations in the future. Yang projects that by 2030, battery swapping will account for one-third of EV power-up solutions, alongside home and public charging options.
The “choco-swap” battery is designed for quick replacements, allowing drivers to swap depleted batteries in just one minute. CATL’s battery-swapping service is offered on a subscription basis, starting at 369 yuan ($51) per month. The company is also standardizing battery sizes to encourage broader adoption among automakers.
Collaboration and Expansion
CATL has partnered with state-owned automakers Changan Auto and FAW to integrate the battery-swapping technology. Since the launch of its EVOGO service in 2022, CATL has been piloting battery-swapping stations in select Chinese cities.
Robin Zeng, CATL’s chairman, emphasized the role of green energy in powering the swapping stations and highlighted their potential to stabilize power grids. Additionally, CATL is diversifying into areas like micro power grids and skateboard chassis as part of its long-term growth strategy.
Growing Competition in Battery Swapping
Chinese automaker Nio has been a major player in the battery-swapping space, with over 2,800 stations built as of early December. Nio’s technology allows EV batteries to be replaced in three minutes, offering another fast alternative for EV users.
The battery-swapping trend addresses critical infrastructure bottlenecks, a key challenge slowing global EV growth. While China leads in battery-swapping adoption, companies like Nio and Xpeng are also exploring extended range hybrids to cater to overseas markets with limited EV charging and swapping facilities.
Market Outlook
CATL’s aggressive push for battery swapping reflects its confidence in this technology as a scalable solution for EV energy needs. By enabling faster recharging and enhancing grid stability, CATL aims to position battery swapping as a mainstream option for both domestic and global markets.