CATL Builds 1,325 Battery Swap Stations in One Year, Cutting Energy Costs to About $0.014 per Kilometer
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CATL is rapidly scaling battery swapping across China, cutting EV energy costs to as low as $0.014 per kilometer while building one of the world’s largest swap networks.
December 31 — CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited) announced that it has completed the construction of 1,325 battery swap stations in just one year, far exceeding industry benchmarks and accelerating the large-scale commercialization of battery swapping.
According to CATL, its Chocolate Battery Swap network has surpassed 1,020 stations, while Qiji Energy’s truck-focused swap network has built 305 stations, with milestone stations recently completed in Nanchang and Hangzhou, respectively.
Rapid Expansion Plans Through 2026 and Beyond
Looking ahead to 2026, CATL plans to expand Chocolate Battery Swap to more than 140 cities, operating over 3,000 stations, while simultaneously rolling out a highway battery swap network. The long-term target is 30,000 stations nationwide, supported by an upcoming franchise and partner program. Qiji Energy, meanwhile, aims to build 900 stations by 2026, expanding its logistics corridor network into a “Five Horizontal, Five Vertical” layout. By 2030, the company plans to establish an “Eight Horizontal, Ten Vertical” green freight network covering 80% of China’s major trucking routes.
Passenger EV Battery Swap: Standardized, Flexible, and Ultra-Low Cost
CATL’s Chocolate Battery Swap stations primarily serve passenger electric vehicles, using standardized, swappable battery packs available in 20# and 25# formats, each offered in LFP (lithium iron phosphate) and ternary lithiumvariants.
Battery Options
- 20# LFP: 42 kWh, up to 400 km range
- 20# Ternary lithium: 52 kWh, up to 500 km
- 25# LFP: 56 kWh, up to 500 km
- 25# Ternary lithium: 70 kWh, up to 600 km
Pricing
- Monthly plans start at ~$51 (RMB 369) for the 20# LFP “Family Plan”
- Unlimited-mileage plans range from ~$65–$83 (RMB 469–599), depending on battery size For drivers traveling under 3,000 km per month, the Family Plan costs about 20% less than unlimited plans—equivalent to commuting 100 km per day at just over $0.014 per kilometer.
Heavy-Duty Truck Battery Swap: A Global First
Qiji Energy, a CATL-controlled subsidiary, has developed a globally pioneering chassis-level battery swap solutionfor heavy-duty trucks. Its 75# standardized battery modules support flexible combinations and full vehicle–battery separation.
The system is compatible with over 95% of mainstream truck models, enabling brand-agnostic battery swaps in under five minutes.
Cost Savings
- Vs. diesel trucks: ~$0.086 saved per km, or ~$8,300 annually at 100,000 km
- Vs. LNG trucks: ~$0.028 saved per km, or ~$2,800 annually
