CATL Unveils Choco-Swap Ecosystem: A Game-Changer for Electric Vehicle Battery Standardization

On December 18, 2024, CATL made a groundbreaking announcement at the Choco-Swap Ecosystem Conference in Xiamen, China, unveiling its new Choco-Swap platform designed to revolutionize electric vehicle (EV) battery swapping. With over 100 strategic partners, including leading automakers and financial institutions, CATL aims to drive the widespread adoption of standardized, cost-effective, and accessible battery-swapping solutions for EVs.

At the core of the announcement were two newly developed standardized battery models: the #20 and #25 Choco-Swap batteries. These models represent a major step forward in the standardization of EV battery technology, positioning CATL as a leader in enabling universal battery swapping.

Redefining EV Battery Swapping with Standardization

Robin Zeng, founder, chairman, and CEO of CATL, highlighted the critical importance of standardizing battery dimensions for battery swapping to become a mainstream solution. The #20 and #25 models are designed for use in a wide range of electric vehicles, including A0-class and A/B-class cars. These batteries are available in both lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) versions, with varying energy densities to cater to different driving needs.

· The #20 LFP battery offers a 42 kWh capacity and a 400 km range, while the NMC version provides 52 kWh with a 500 km range.

· The #25 LFP version delivers 56 kWh and 500 km of range, while the NMC version offers 70 kWh and 600 km.

This standardization will not only simplify the development process for automakers but also significantly reduce the cost and time required to bring battery-swappable EVs to market. CATL envisions that this approach will help reduce development timelines by more than six months, overcoming previous challenges related to quality, performance, and cost.

Flexibility and Cost Savings for Consumers

The Choco-Swap ecosystem introduces an innovative model where users can pay based on their actual battery usage rather than purchasing entire battery packs. This system maximizes battery utilization and makes electric mobility more cost-effective. CATL aims to offer an "easier, safer, and more cost-effective" experience for EV owners, particularly with the growing ecosystem of partnerships involving automakers, insurance companies, e-commerce platforms, and financial institutions.

Yang Jun, CEO of CATL's battery-swapping division, CAES, emphasized that the Choco-Swap ecosystem's flexibility allows users to swap batteries or even upgrade them according to their needs. CATL plans to incorporate all future battery technologies into the Choco-Swap system, ensuring long-term compatibility and value for users.

Ambitious Infrastructure Expansion

CATL has also outlined an ambitious roadmap to expand the Choco-Swap network. The company aims to build 1,000 battery swap stations by 2025, with plans to grow to 10,000 stations in the mid-term, ultimately reaching 30,000 stations. These stations will not only facilitate battery swapping but also provide charging and energy storage services, with capabilities to support battery-to-grid (B2G) interactions.

By 2030, CATL forecasts that battery swapping will capture a significant portion of the EV market, alongside home and public charging infrastructure. The company also expects that 30,000 battery swap stations could collectively store up to 33.6 million kWh of electricity, serving up to 20 million vehicles and optimizing energy storage for grid support during peak demand periods.

A Wide-Ranging Ecosystem of Partners

The Choco-Swap initiative is more than just CATL's vision—it is a collaborative effort with nearly 100 partners across various industries. The ecosystem includes major automakers like Changan, GAC, BAIC, Wuling, and FAW, along with insurance companies such as PICC and China Life, and financial institutions like China Development Bank Leasing and CMB Financial Leasing. These collaborations are essential to make battery swapping a mainstream, scalable solution.

At the conference, CATL announced that over 107,500 battery packs had already been subscribed, and the company expects to roll out ten battery swap models in partnership with automakers, with many more to come. The Choco-Swap ecosystem also integrates e-commerce platforms like JD.com, which will allow consumers to purchase, lease, or maintain their EVs and batteries with ease.

Seamless and Efficient Battery Swapping

Choco-Swap stations are designed to accommodate a wide variety of vehicles, with compatibility for wheelbases ranging from 2.55 meters to 3.1 meters. Each station will be equipped with between 14 and 30 battery compartments, allowing for efficient use of space. The stations are engineered for speed, with battery swaps taking just 100 seconds—similar to the time it takes to refuel a conventional gasoline car.

These stations also offer "visible, manageable, and optimizable" assets, ensuring that the battery life and performance are maximized. Through CATL’s extensive battery database, real-time monitoring of battery conditions will help extend the life of individual batteries, ensuring optimal performance.

Looking Ahead: Transforming EV Charging and Battery Infrastructure

CATL’s Choco-Swap ecosystem is set to reshape the future of electric mobility by enabling widespread adoption of battery swapping. By making EV ownership more affordable, flexible, and convenient, the initiative will help drive the global transition to cleaner, more sustainable transportation.

The company’s vision for 2030, which includes a comprehensive network of battery swap stations, home charging solutions, and public charging infrastructure, highlights CATL’s commitment to not just changing the way we drive but also the way we power our vehicles.

With nearly 100 industry partners on board, the Choco-Swap ecosystem is well on its way to becoming a cornerstone of the electric vehicle revolution.