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CATL Launches Battery-Swapping System for Light Electric Trucks in South China
Image: (c) CATL
Chinese battery giant CATL is continuing to push forward with the expansion of battery-swapping systems in the commercial vehicle sector. Partnering with Shenzhen-based logistics company DST, the company is launching the first standardized battery-swapping system for light electric trucks in South China. The rollout is initially focusing on the economically powerful Greater Bay Area around Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau. There are already 31 battery-swapping stations in operation there today, and the network is expected to grow to 140 locations by the end of 2026.
Chinese battery giant CATL is continuing to push forward with the expansion of battery-swapping systems in the commercial vehicle sector. Partnering with Shenzhen-based logistics company DST, the company is launching the first standardized battery-swapping system for light electric trucks in South China. The rollout is initially focusing on the economically powerful Greater Bay Area around Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau. There are already 31 battery-swapping stations in operation there today, and the network is expected to grow to 140 locations by the end of 2026.
With this project, CATL aims to further accelerate the electrification of logistics fleets. The upcoming 140 swapping stations will be used by a fleet of 5,000 light electric trucks from DST. Which specific vehicle model will be used remains unknown for now.
The project will utilize CATL's Choco-SEB system, which the company introduced in late 2024. This system offers battery packs in various sizes that are now being used by different vehicle manufacturers in China. The modular battery-swapping stations built there will reportedly be compatible with both electric cars and electric trucks with wheelbases ranging from 2.7 meters to 3.75 meters. This means they are compatible with CATL's Choco-SEB 25# and 35# batteries. The battery swap itself is designed to happen automatically in just two minutes. While the 25# battery was already introduced for passenger cars during the launch in late 2024, the 35# battery is a pack that was developed later specifically for light trucks—which are exactly what is being used in this project. However, CATL has not disclosed the specific capacities of these batteries.