BAIC and CATL aim to accelerate battery swap approach

Chinese automakers BAIC Group and CATL are deepening their partnership in the field of passenger car battery swapping: BAIC plans to develop more compatible models and advance the construction of swapping stations with the help of its dealer network.

Image: BAIC

As reported by Chinese media, the newly signed agreement between BAIC and CATL includes joint vehicle and battery development, the establishment of a battery swap station network, and the development of battery energy services and innovative business models. The shared goal is to create a battery swap ecosystem capable of serving millions of vehicles.

As part of the deal, BAIC and its brands have committed to building more models compatible with CATL’s ‘Choco-SEB’ battery swap network. Additionally, the manufacturer plans to leverage its dealer network to support CATL in setting up battery swap stations near dealerships. However, the partners have not disclosed a specific timeline, details on the scope of the planned network, or the specific passenger car models involved.

The agreement builds on an existing partnership. In June 2024, BAIC and CATL signed their first contract for vehicles with swappable batteries, battery block development, and data management. One of the now-compatible models is, for example, the Arcfox Beta S3, which launched in China in May. According to _CN EV Post_, a battery swap version of the Arcfox Beta T1 also appeared in the MIIT vehicle catalogue in August.

CATL’s interest in the deal is clear: as the operator of swap stations, the company aims to expand the user base for its network. China’s battery giant now applies this approach to passenger cars, vans, and trucks – offering various sizes of standardised swappable batteries at its stations, referred to as ‘Choco-SEB’. Here, SEB stands for “Swapping Electric Blocks”, and the term “Choco” is inspired by the appearance of a chocolate bar with its individual “blocks”.

In addition to BAIC, Chinese outlets report that Newcool has recently joined CATL’s battery swap ecosystem. Newcool is a smart car specialist from the Huawei Group, also known by the name Yinwang. According to its own statements, CATL currently operates around 2,500 battery swap stations in 200 Chinese cities. The company’s long-term goal is to reach 30,000 stations.