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On December 18, 2024, CATL introduced two standardized battery models, #20 and #25, at the Choco-Swap ecosystem conference in Xiamen, a coastal city in China. This launch marks a significant milestone in the standardization of electric vehicle (EV) battery swapping, with CATL collaborating with nearly 100 partners to establish the Choco-Swap ecosystem.
As a global leader in innovative new energy technologies, CATL has been focused on creating an ecosystem where electrification is accessible to everyone, driving sustainable development. The goal of the conference was to build a public service platform by partnering with automakers, financial institutions, insurance companies, e-commerce platforms, and other stakeholders, ensuring users enjoy an "easier, safer, and more cost-effective" electric mobility experience.
During his keynote address, Robin Zeng, the founder, chairman, and CEO of CATL, emphasized the importance of battery dimension standardization for the advancement of battery swapping. He unveiled two new standard battery models—#20 and #25—comparable to the #92 and #95 gasoline grades at gas stations.
The two models are available in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) versions, with different energy densities to meet varying user needs. According to Yang Jun, CEO of CATL's battery swapping arm CAES, the #20 LFP battery pack offers a 42 kWh capacity and a 400 km range, while the NMC version provides 52 kWh and a 500 km range. The #25 LFP version delivers 56 kWh and 500 km, while the NMC version offers 70 kWh and a 600 km range. These batteries are designed for A0-class and A/B-class vehicles.
One of the key advantages of Choco-Swap is its flexibility in energy usage. Yang Jun noted that users will transition from purchasing entire battery packs to paying according to their usage, maximizing each battery's value. Additionally, all future battery technologies developed by CATL will be integrated into the Choco-Swap ecosystem.
Standardization is expected to lower the development costs of battery-swappable vehicles, reduce new vehicle development timelines by over six months, and overcome the challenges related to "quality, performance, and cost."
Yang Jun acknowledged that while battery swapping offers a universal solution, it could raise concerns about homogenization. However, he clarified that the goal is to simplify solutions, allowing automotive partners to focus on intelligence and personalization, which will ultimately create more value for consumers.
Lu Mei, general manager of the China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC), expressed optimism about the universal battery swap solution, viewing it as an opportunity to develop crucial standards that would strengthen the battery swap ecosystem.
CATL has outlined an ambitious plan for its battery swap network. By 2025, the company aims to establish 1,000 Choco-Swap stations, expanding into Hong Kong and Macau. In the mid-term, CATL plans to build 10,000 stations, with a vision for 30,000 battery swap stations as the ecosystem continues to grow.
Robin Zeng forecasted that by 2030, battery swapping, home charging, and public charging stations will each capture a third of the market. Yang Jun added that given China’s 100,000 gas stations, the EV industry will need 30,000 battery swap stations to maintain a one-third market share.
CATL’s standard battery swap stations are designed to accommodate vehicles with wheelbases ranging from 2.55 meters to 3.1 meters, making them the most compatible in the industry. Each station can hold between 14 and 30 battery compartments, ensuring high space utilization. These stations guarantee a 99.99% success rate for battery swaps, with each operation taking just 100 seconds, making the process as simple as refueling at a gas station, but at a much lower cost.
The 30,000 battery swap stations will combine energy storage, charging, and swapping services, with each station functioning as a distributed energy storage unit. These stations will also support B2G (battery-to-grid) capabilities, enabling interaction with power grids to reduce costs by charging batteries during off-peak hours and providing a second-level response to grid peak loads.
Estimates show that these 30,000 stations could store a total of 33.6 million kWh of electricity, while serving up to 20 million vehicles, which will also store an additional 1.12 billion kWh. This distributed energy network will be able to respond to grid demands in real-time.
CATL’s vast battery database enables it to monitor the historical and real-time performance of each battery and even individual cells, ensuring optimal use and extending battery life. This comprehensive monitoring ensures that each battery cycle is maximized.
The Choco-Swap ecosystem offers several advantages, including the ability to charge, swap, upgrade, lease, purchase, and buy back batteries. Users can choose between charging, battery swapping, and upgrades, as well as leasing or outright purchasing the batteries. Additionally, the assets within the swap stations are "visible, manageable, and optimizable," ensuring maximum efficiency.
Battery swapping offers convenience by decoupling the vehicle and battery, but its success relies on extensive industry collaboration. Robin Zeng emphasized that the Choco-Swap ecosystem is not just CATL’s initiative but one that involves all players committed to sustainable development.
As part of this effort, CATL has partnered with major automakers, financial institutions, insurance companies, and others to expand the battery swapping model, allowing consumers to buy, use, and replace cars without concern. CATL has announced official collaborations with companies like Changan, GAC, BAIC, Wuling, and FAW. Ten battery swap models were introduced at the conference, with more to follow.
In the future, consumers will be able to purchase, maintain, and lease vehicles, as well as subscribe to batteries via e-commerce platforms like JD.com. Insurance companies such as PICC, China Life, and CUPI will offer specialized battery insurance, significantly lowering premiums. Financial institutions like China Development Bank Leasing and CMB Financial Leasing will provide innovative financial products, making battery swapping more affordable and secure.
As of the conference, nearly 100 partners have joined the Choco-Swap ecosystem, with CATL securing subscription agreements for 107,500 battery packs. The rental fees for the swappable LFP battery packs are as follows: the #25 pack is priced at 599 yuan per month for unlimited mileage or 499 yuan for a family plan, while the #20 pack costs 469 yuan for unlimited mileage or 369 yuan for the family plan.
Edit by paco