CATL launches new battery packs with 373-mile range, targets 30,000 swap stations

The world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery producer, CATL, has unveiled two standardized battery models in a bid to streamline electric vehicle battery swapping. The company also announced that it will build the first 1,000 battery swap stations in the coming year.

The next 10,000 stations will be developed with partners, with a final total of 30,000 swap stations planned across China. The company's founder and CEO, Robin Zheng, emphasized that CATL will continue to promote the standardization of battery swapping, with a key focus on standardizing battery size.

Electric alternative to gasoline octane grades
The 20# and 25# Choco-SEB (Swapping Electric Blocks) battery packs from CATL support both lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistries. Similar to how gasoline is available in 92 and 95 octane grades in China, the 20# and 25# Choco-SEB modules provide an electric alternative, the company adds.

The 20# battery swap block is designed for A0 class vehicles, providing a range of up to 310 miles (500 km) under CLTC. A0 class vehicles in China include small city cars and subcompact

hatchbacks. The 25# battery swap block is suited for A and B class electric vehicles, offering up to 373 mile (600 km) range. A class vehicles in China are compact cars like the BYD Dolphin, while B class includes mid-size cars like the BYD Seal.

Yang Jun, CEO of CATL's battery swapping arm CAES, explained that the #20 LFP battery pack offers 42 kWh with a 248 mile (400 km) range, while the NMC version provides 52 kWh and a 310 mile (500 km) range. The #25 LFP pack offers 56 kWh with a 310 mile (500 km) range, and the NMC version has 70 kWh and a 373 mile (600 km) range.

Moreover, Choco-Swap’s advantage lies in its need-based energy use, allowing users to pay according to usage rather than purchasing entire battery packs, maximizing each battery's value.

Transforming EV energy replenishment by 2030
Zeng announced that all new battery technologies from CATL will be applied to Choco-Swap models in the future. This standardization is expected to lower development costs for battery-swappable vehicles, reduce new vehicle development cycles by over six months, and resolve the "quality, performance, and cost" trilemma.

"We are addressing the challenges faced by the electric vehicle industry as the industry goes into uncharted waters. The simpler the solutions we provide, the better our automotive partners can leverage their strengths in intelligence and personalization to create value for users,” said Yang Jun added.

CATL also announced that 10 electric vehicles featuring swappable Choco-SEB battery packs will launch starting next year. The company collaborated with GAC, BAIC, Wuling, and FAW to develop these models.

The company officially entered the battery swap market in January 2022 with the launch of its EVOGO battery swap brand. Zheng stated that by 2030, battery swapping is expected to meet one-third of the energy replenishment needs for electric vehicles.