FAW Group’s Hongqi brand has partnered with CATL to accelerate the adoption of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China. The collaboration involves Hongqi entering into a framework agreement with CATL and its subsidiary, CAES, to promote the use of CATL’s Choco-SEB battery swap technology.
This partnership makes Hongqi the second automotive brand in just one month to adopt CATL’s battery swap solution, following Changan Automobile’s similar agreement in November. Changan showcased its Oshan 520 electric sedan equipped with the Choco-SEB battery swap system, promising to save EV owners up to two hours of charging time daily.
Under the framework agreement, the three companies will integrate CATL’s Choco-SEB technology into Hongqi’s electric vehicles. CATL introduced its EVOGO battery swap brand in January 2022 to reshape how electric vehicle owners manage energy usage.
The Choco-SEB system allows vehicles to swap one or more battery blocks to adjust the range, offering a flexible and time-efficient solution to EV charging. While FAW has previously explored battery swap technology, especially in the ride-hailing market, this collaboration with CATL signifies a broader commitment to integrating battery swapping into its product lineup.
In 2021, Hongqi delivered its first battery swap-enabled models, the E-QM5, to ride-hailing partners in Changchun. This year, Hongqi filed for battery swap-enabled versions of its EH7 and EHS7 models, using lithium iron phosphate batteries from BYD’s FinDreams Battery division.
The partnership between FAW Hongqi and CATL comes at a time when the Chinese automotive industry is increasingly turning to battery swapping to address the challenges of EV adoption. With major players like CATL, FAW, and Changan leading the way, battery swapping technology is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of electric mobility in China and beyond.
