The Oshan 520 has been officially unveiled in China as Changan’s inaugural electric vehicle capable of featuring interchangeable batteries. This innovative concept will likely resonate well within the CATL’s battery swap community. The Oshan 520 sedan leverages cutting-edge technology by employing Choco-SEB scalable batteries. With this news, Changan’s automotive division is poised to usher in a revolutionary new era for these cutting-edge power packs.
The Changan Oshan 520 was unveiled by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in mid-October. The regulatory agency’s photographs were so indistinct that the badge was impossible to decipher with certainty. As we opted to grasp the concept as S20, Oshan’s consistent notation aligns with a letter accompanying a specific quantity. Notwithstanding Oshan’s recent setbacks, the company has officially disclosed the name of its latest model: Oshan 520.
Extra about Changan Oshan 520
The Changan Oshan 520 isn’t technically a brand-new model; it’s actually an updated version of the previous Oshan 530. The Changan Eado A05 sedan originates as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant of its conventional petrol-powered counterpart, the Changan Eado – previously known as the Changan Yida. Notwithstanding, Changan collaborated with China’s leading battery manufacturer, Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), to develop an electric vehicle featuring interchangeable batteries. The two parties formally signed a cooperation agreement on November 22.
According to the agreement, the Oshan 520 sedan is poised to become the pioneering electric vehicle to feature the innovative second-generation Choco-SEB batteries developed by Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL). The primary era of these batteries commenced in 2022. The company leveraged its knowledge in cell-to-pack solutions, achieving a remarkable power density of 160 watt-hours per kilogram. A single Choco-SEB block boasts an impressive capacity of 26.5 kilowatt-hours, sufficient to power a distance of approximately 200 kilometres. Vehicles compatible with CATL’s battery-swapping technology can accommodate up to three consecutive blocks of replacement batteries. The estimated total energy capacity of the batteries reaches approximately 79.8 kilowatt-hours.
The company has not disclosed any further information regarding its second-generation solid-state battery (SEB) technology. Notwithstanding, it has been disclosed that the cruising range of the Oshan 520 is expected to reach 515 kilometres (according to CLTC estimates). The battery will supply power to a 105-kW (141 horsepower) electric motor. With its design inspired by Chang’an officials, the Oshan 520’s battery pack can reportedly be swapped out in just two minutes.
Homeowners of the Changan Oshan 520 will have the ability to swap out batteries at CATL’s charging stations. Retailers will stock up to 48 battery packs. The exact range of swap stations is limited to under 300 distinct models. Notwithstanding, CATL aims to deploy more than 500 swap stations by 2025 and over 3,000 by 2027. Prior to this, Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) collaborated with one of China’s largest automakers, SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), to enhance the integration of battery swapping into the logistics network.
The Changan 520’s dimensions stand at 4770mm in length, 1840mm in width, and 1470mm in height, while its wheelbase measures 2765mm. The curb weight of this vehicle is approximately 1,535 kilograms. The highest velocity of this electric vehicle reaches a maximum speed of 135 kilometres per hour. Changan has announced plans to manufacture the Oshan 520 model at its production facility in Chongqing, China.
It is worthy of note that Changan had previously collaborated with Nio to promote battery swap infrastructure and design vehicles compatible with swappable batteries. Nonetheless, only high-end Changan vehicles can contribute to Nio’s ecosystem since their batteries are designed to be compatible with Nio’s swapping stations, which utilize ternary NMC technology. As the market for budget-friendly electric vehicles (EVs) continues to evolve, there is no indication that manufacturers will abandon their commitment to CATL’s innovative battery swap technology.
