China's CATL to Build 1,000 EV Battery Swap Stations in 2025
The world’s largest EV battery maker aims to revolutionize electric vehicle refueling with rapid battery swapping, starting with fleet vehicles.
- CATL plans to establish 1,000 battery swap stations across China, including Hong Kong and Macau, in 2025, with a long-term goal of 10,000 stations in collaboration with partners.
- The company's new 'Choco-SEB' standardized battery packs can be swapped in as little as 100 seconds, offering a faster alternative to traditional EV charging.
- Initial deployment will focus on fleet vehicles like taxis, buses, and commercial trucks, which benefit from standardized battery models and frequent usage patterns.
- Battery swapping could address concerns about EV charging times, but challenges remain, including the need for standardization across EV models and higher costs compared to fast charging.
- CATL joins other companies like Nio in expanding battery swap networks, as China continues to lead global EV adoption with strong government support and infrastructure investment.