Passenger car swap stations constructed exceeding 400 by CATL
Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) is making significant strides in its battery swap business, with plans to reach 1,000 battery swap stations for passenger vehicles by the end of 2025.
The company has already constructed over 400 battery swap stations for passenger vehicles, and is on track to meet its goal of 1,000 swap stations by the end of the year[1]. CATL has also set its sights on the heavy-duty truck market, with around 100 swap stations already built, aiming for a total of 300 by year-end[1].
CATL's battery swap ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with more than 20 vehicle models launched in partnership with automotive customers that support battery swapping using CATL’s Choco-SEB technology[1]. The company is collaborating with major companies such as Sinopec, Nio Inc (NYSE: NIO), and Didi to accelerate the development of this ecosystem.
A pilot program with CAR Inc. and CMB Financial Leasing aims to deploy over 100,000 battery-swappable EVs this year, focusing on a range of vehicle classes from economy to luxury with ranges of 400–600 km per swap[2]. This program targets use cases including car rental, ride-hailing, and corporate fleets, mainly in China’s first-tier and new first-tier cities[2].
CATL's partner Kandi Technologies is supplying key battery swapping station equipment, supporting CATL's objective to build 500 swap stations in 2025 and expand to over 10,000 stations across mainland China over time[3]. The battery swapping system is designed for rapid swaps (~90 seconds), automation, and real-time monitoring, enhancing operational efficiency and user convenience[3].
In December 2024, CATL made a major update to its battery swap business, announcing two standardized Choco-SEB battery packs[4]. CATL's board secretary Jiang Li told the Financial Times that the company plans to introduce its battery swap and recycling technologies to Europe[5].
CATL's financial performance is also strong, with the company reporting a net income of RMB 16.6 billion ($2.3 billion) in the second quarter, up 34 percent year-on-year[6]. The company's revenue in the second quarter was RMB 94.2 billion, and its revenue in the first half of the year was RMB 178.9 billion, up 16.80 percent year-on-year[7].
As CATL continues to expand its battery swap business, it is poised to play a significant role in promoting sustainable EV adoption across diverse use cases, enabling flexible energy replenishment, and reducing charging time.
References
- CATL
- Reuters
- ChargedEVs
- CATL
- Financial Times
- CATL
- CATL
- CATL, the Chinese battery giant, aspires to reach 1,000 battery swap stations for passenger vehicles by the end of 2025, and currently has over 400 stations, with plans to scale up to 300 in the heavy-duty truck market.
- In partnership with automotive customers and companies like Sinopec, Nio Inc, and Didi, CATL has launched more than 20 vehicle models compatible with its Choco-SEB technology.
- A joint program with CAR Inc. and CMB Financial Leasing aims to deploy over 100,000 battery-swappable EVs in 2022, targeting diverse use cases like ride-hailing, car rental, and corporate fleets.
- In December 2024, CATL introduced two standardized Choco-SEB battery packs and announced plans to extend its battery swap and recycling technologies to Europe.
- CATL's financials are robust, with net income surging 34% year-on-year to RMB 16.6 billion ($2.3 billion) in the second quarter, and revenue climbing to RMB 94.2 billion and RMB 178.9 billion in the second quarter and first half of the year, respectively.
- As CATL expands its battery swap business, the company is expected to contribute significantly to promoting sustainable EV adoption, offering flexible energy replenishment, and drastically cutting charging times.
- Partnerships with companies like Kandi Technologies are crucial for CATL's objectives of erecting 500 swap stations by 2025 and eventually expanding to over 10,000 stations across mainland China. The battery swapping system provides rapid swaps, automation, and real-time monitoring, enhancing operational efficiency and user convenience.
