CATL (SHE: 300750) has taken a significant step towards expanding its battery swap business beyond the Chinese mainland market by commencing the construction of its first battery swap station in Hong Kong. This move signifies the power battery giant’s commitment to establishing a presence in international markets.
On January 13, CATL, in collaboration with FAW Hongqi and Dragon Rise New Energy, announced the start of construction on Hong Kong’s inaugural Choco-SEB battery swap station located on Ping Che Road in Fanling, New Territories. This milestone marks the introduction of the first passenger car battery swap station in Hong Kong, marking a pivotal moment in the development of new energy infrastructure in the region.
CATL officially entered the battery swap segment on January 18, 2022, with the launch of its battery swap brand EVOGO, which is operated by its subsidiary Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology (CAES). The battery maker recently unveiled two standardized Choco-SEB packs, named #20 and #25, as part of its efforts to streamline its battery swap business operations.
The implementation of CATL’s battery swap solution in Hong Kong is expected to address the challenges posed by the city’s limited land resources and inadequate charging infrastructure. Dragon Rise New Energy, a local company, will play a key role in resolving land allocation and construction issues for battery swap stations, as well as overseeing vehicle sales operations.
FAW Hongqi’s E-QM5, one of the first vehicles to utilize CATL’s battery swap solution, will be introduced as an electric cab in the Hong Kong market. CATL’s long-term vision involves establishing a new energy mobility network that spans Hong Kong and the ASEAN region through the Choco-SEB battery swap model.
By partnering with key stakeholders in Hong Kong, CATL aims to enhance the city’s green mobility infrastructure and unlock new business opportunities for expanding its Choco-SEB battery swap ecosystem in international markets. This strategic collaboration underscores CATL’s commitment to promoting the global adoption of its innovative battery swap solution.
The announcement of the battery swap station construction in Hong Kong follows a recent partnership with SAIC Motor, where the automaker revealed plans to integrate CATL’s technology into its battery swap-enabled models. These developments underscore CATL’s growing influence in the battery swap sector and its commitment to driving innovation in the electric vehicle industry.
