World’s Largest Battery Maker CATL Expands with 700 Swap Stations Across China

CATL's ambitious network of battery swap stations, known as BSS, is designed to facilitate the quick replacement of used batteries with fully charged ones. Each station is capable of swapping a battery in just 100 seconds, allowing drivers to resume their journeys without the lengthy delays associated with traditional charging methods. The strategic placement of these stations across key urban areas ensures that a swap station is never more than a 10-minute drive away in core locations, enhancing convenience for electric vehicle users.

The rollout of these stations is part of CATL's broader vision to expand its battery swap business beyond China into the European market. By 2025, CATL aims to increase the number of stations to 1,000, with a long-term goal of establishing 30,000 stations globally. The company is leveraging its market dominance—where it holds over 40% of China's EV battery market—to drive this expansion. In addition to its domestic strategy, CATL is collaborating with leading automotive manufacturers such as Changan, GAC, FAW, Wuling, and SAIC to integrate battery swap technology into their vehicles.

At the heart of CATL's battery swap technology is the Choco-SEB, a standardized swappable battery available in two variants—LFP and NMC—each offering different range capabilities. The first variant, designed for A0-class vehicles, provides a range of up to 500 kilometers, while the second, suitable for A-to-B-class battery electric vehicles (BEVs), extends the range to 600 kilometers. These batteries are hosted in swap stations with up to 30 compartments, each capable of handling 822 swaps per day.

The economic benefits of CATL's swap stations are notable, with a subscription plan costing approximately 0.1 yuan per kilometer, or $0.014 USD. This cost-effective model, combined with the convenience of rapid battery exchanges, positions CATL as a pioneer in the EV infrastructure space. The company's focus on reducing downtime for drivers while enhancing battery life through efficient management practices highlights the practical advantages of the battery swap model over traditional charging solutions.

As CATL continues to expand its battery swap network, the implications for the global EV market are profound. The integration of swappable battery technology not only supports the growth of EV adoption by alleviating range anxiety but also aligns with global sustainability goals by promoting efficient energy use. With plans to extend this technology to Europe, CATL is setting a precedent for future infrastructure developments in the electric vehicle industry, potentially reshaping how consumers and manufacturers approach EV charging solutions worldwide.