CATL has launched two new standardised battery packs, the 20# and 25#, specifically designed for seamless battery swapping applications. The company’s founder and CEO, Robin Zheng, announced plans to build 1,000 battery swap stations next year, with a long-term goal of establishing 30,000 such facilities across China.
At the CATL’s Battery Swap Ecosystem Convention in Xiamen today, Zheng emphasized that “We’ll proceed to advertise the standardization of battery swapping, with a crucial consideration being the standardization of battery measurement.”
By 2025, CATL is expected to build the initial 1,000 battery swap stations. As part of a broader strategy, Chinese battery giant CATL revealed that it aims to construct an additional 10,000 swap stations, bringing the total number in China to 30,000 by the final stage.
The 20# and 25# chocolate batteries, formerly known as Choco-SEB (Swappable Electrical Blocks), are designed to accommodate both lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistry variations. This innovative technology is tailored specifically for A0 to B-class electric vehicles, boasting an impressive range of up to 600 kilometers on a single charge (as tested by the Chinese certification authority).
In China, gasoline is readily available in two distinct octane grades: 92 and 95. Interestingly, the 20# and 25# Choco-SEB modules bridge the gap by offering electrically comparable alternatives, as explained by CATL.
The 20-series battery swap module is specifically designed for A0-class vehicles and enables a driving range of up to 500 kilometers under the Chinese Low-Temperature Cycle (CLTC) test protocol, making it an ideal solution for electric vehicles in this segment. In China, A0 classes refer to compact city cars or mini hatchbacks.
The 25# battery swap block is specifically designed for A-to-B class electric vehicles, offering an impressive range of up to 600 kilometers. In China, a category of compact vehicles is comparable to the BYD Dolphin, while B-class vehicles correspond to the mid-size BYD Seal.
For each Choco-SEB module variant, there exist two distinct subscription plan options:
(A0 class automobiles)
- Electric Vehicle Journey Plan: Monthly Cost – 52 kWh NMC Battery, ¥469.
- Domestic energy package (42 kWh lithium iron phosphate): ¥369 per month.
(A/B class automobiles)
- Electric Vehicle Journey Plan: NMC 70kWh Package, priced at approximately $82 per month.
- Residential Power Package: ¥499 per month for a 56kWh Lithium-Ferrophosphates battery.
CATL announced that, starting next year, CATL collaborated with major Chinese automakers, including GAC, BAIC, Wuling, and FAW, to design and develop this innovative battery solution.
Why not try these steps to successfully swap your Choco-SEB battery?
- The Changan Oshan 520 will launch in the first quarter of 2025.
- The all-new GAC Aion S is set to revolutionize the electric vehicle landscape with its debut in Q2 2025.
- The Hongqi E-QM5: Set to Launch in Q2 of 2025.
- The SAIC Roewe D7 will launch this autumn 2025.
- BAIC C66, slated for a Q1 2026 launch.
- Wuling Bingo (TBA)
- Wuling Starlight (TBA)
- SAIC Rising F7 (TBA)
- SAIC Maxus Mifa 9 (TBA)
- SAIC Maxus Dana (TBA)
CATL has officially ventured into the battery swapping market since January 2022, introducing its EVOGO battery swapping solution to the industry.
By 2030, experts predict that battery-swapping technology will account for roughly one-third of the overall charging needs for electric vehicles.
