CATL and Car Inc have joined forces to launch a pilot program that will see over 100,000 battery-swappable vehicles hitting the streets. These vehicles will be equipped with CATL’s standardized #20 and #25 battery swap blocks, offering a range of 400-600 km.
The partnership between CATL and Car Inc aims to introduce the battery swap model into the car rental industry. The two companies signed a strategic cooperation agreement at CATL’s headquarters in Ningde, Fujian province. The agreement involves CATL, its subsidiary CAES, Car Inc, and CMB Leasing.
The pilot program will kick off this year, with plans to gradually deploy more than 100,000 vehicles supporting battery swap. These vehicles will utilize CATL’s #20 and #25 battery swap blocks, offering a range of 400-600 kilometers. Car Inc will focus on purchasing these models in bulk and targeting first-tier and new first-tier cities in China.
To ensure the safety and stability of the battery range, CAES will establish a battery health monitoring platform. The signing ceremony was attended by CATL chairman and CEO Robin Zeng, Car Inc chairman Yu Hongfei, and China Merchants Bank president Wang Liang.
In December 2024, CATL introduced two standardized Choco-SEB battery packs for passenger vehicles, labeled #20 and #25. The company envisions that by 2030, battery swap, home charging, and public charging stations will each cater to one-third of EV owners’ energy needs.
To expand the battery swap network, CATL will leverage Car Inc’s vast network of offline outlets and parking lot resources in China. The battery swap stations will prioritize the use of photovoltaic green electricity and contribute to grid peak shaving and frequency regulation.
Car Inc’s mobile app will integrate battery swap station navigation and payment functions to offer a seamless user experience. CMB Leasing and CAES will provide competitively priced battery rental solutions for Car Inc’s self-operated vehicles, aiming to reduce costs and enhance operational efficiency.
CATL is confident in achieving its goal of establishing 1,000 battery swap stations for passenger vehicles by the end of the year. The collaboration between CATL and Car Inc marks a significant step towards promoting sustainable mobility solutions in China.
