by Chinese manufacturers are developing rapid battery replacement technology
Although Tesla was the first company to propose the idea of rapid battery replacement for electric vehicles, it is Chinese manufacturers who are actively advancing this technology. Currently, the leader in this field is Nio, which already has thousands of battery swap stations in China and Europe. However, this service will soon become even more accessible thanks to new initiatives.
Recently, Changan began delivering the first 1,000 Oshan 520 sedans designed for taxis. These vehicles are unique because they are the first to use new Choco-SEB batteries from CATL, which can be replaced in just 100 seconds. Currently, 34 swap stations are operational in Chongqing, and by the end of 2025, CATL plans to deploy 1,000 stations across 31 cities in China.
CATL, the world’s largest supplier of electric vehicle batteries, has signed agreements with GAC, Nio, SAIC, FAW, and other manufacturers to ensure their vehicles support the new battery swap system.
Benefits for taxi drivers and future models
The Oshan 520 is equipped with a 56 kWh battery, providing a range of up to 515 km. The car’s price starts at 166,890 yuan (~$23,100). For taxi drivers, this technology is particularly advantageous as it eliminates long charging times—swapping the battery takes less time than refueling a conventional car.
Among other models that will support the Choco-SEB system are the GAC Aion S, Hongqi E-QM5, BAIC C66, Wuling Bingo, Wuling Starlight, and others. This indicates that the Chinese electric vehicle market is actively transitioning to standardized rapid battery swap solutions, which could significantly accelerate infrastructure development and make EVs even more convenient for mass consumers.
