Hongqi, a subsidiary of China FAW Group, has recently announced its partnership with CATL to adopt the Choco-SEB battery swap solution for its electric vehicles. This collaboration marks an important milestone in the cooperation between the two companies in the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry.
The agreement, signed on December 14, involves Hongqi working closely with CATL and its subsidiary CAES to promote the use of CATL’s Choco-SEB battery swap technology in Hongqi’s models. The three parties will also collaborate on battery swap services and battery asset operations, aiming to create a more convenient, affordable, and safe NEV experience for consumers.
This move by Hongqi follows a similar partnership between CATL and Changan Automobile, where Changan showcased the battery swap-enabled Oshan 520 electric sedan equipped with CATL’s Choco-SEB solution. The Choco-SEB technology allows car owners to save more than two hours of charging time per day, making it a convenient option for electric vehicle users.
CATL launched its battery swap brand EVOGO earlier this year, with CAES as the operating entity for the new brand. The Choco-SEB batteries used in EVOGO vehicles can be easily swapped to match different mileage requirements, providing flexibility and convenience for users.
Hongqi’s foray into battery swap-enabled models began in November 2021 when the brand delivered 100 E-QM5 models to cab industry partners in Changchun. The company had also filed for battery swap-enabled models for its EH7 and EHS7 earlier this year, using lithium iron phosphate batteries supplied by BYD’s battery division FinDreams Battery.
This partnership between Hongqi and CATL signifies a growing trend in the NEV industry towards battery swap technology, aimed at accelerating the adoption of electrified mobility and zero-carbon lifestyles. With collaborations like these, we can expect to see more innovative solutions and advancements in the electric vehicle market in the near future.
