- The Chinese battery maker plans to build more than 1,000 swapping stations in 2025.
- CATL has already co-developed 10 electric vehicles that will be supported by its network.
- Nio is the leader in EV battery-swapping and already operates over 2,600 stations in China.
More than a decade ago, Elon Musk previewed innovative battery swap technology for electric vehicles that could serve as a compelling alternative to charging. While Tesla later ditched its plans to introduce battery swapping, Chinese companies have taken the idea and run with it, establishing thousands of swapping stations across the country. The industry is now set to grow even further thanks to leading battery manufacturer CATL.
Electric vehicle startup Nio has established the largest battery-swapping network of any automaker, currently operating more than 2,600 stations in China alone. Geely also has hundreds of its own battery swap stations in operation and has partnered with Nio on battery standards, swapping technology, and the expansion of their networks of swapping stations.
Read: Nio’s 4th-Gen Battery Swap Stations Show Tesla’s Missed Opportunity
Earlier this week, the chief executive of CATL’s EVOGO battery swapping brand, Yang Jun, revealed the battery maker has already co-developed 10 new electric vehicles with automakers that use its swapping technology. The first EV supporting this new system, dubbed ‘choco-swap’, is expected to be launch later this month and the other vehicles will follow closely behind.
CATL plans on building more than 1,000 swapping stations in 2025 across China and will enlist partners to build more stations. Vehicles compatible with the CATL system will be offered two different battery pack sizes and subscription fees will start at 369 yuan ($51) per month, Reuters notes.
Company chairman Robin Zeng says the swapping stations will use as much green energy as possible and predicted that battery swapping could make up roughly one-third of all ‘power-up’ solutions for EVs by 2030, alongside home charging and public chargers. Yang added that it is possible that as many as a third of all gas stations in China could be replaced by these swapping stations.
Several brands are working with CATL to adopt its battery-swapping standard. These include Aiways, Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile, and SAIC-GM-Wuling.
