SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) has recently announced a partnership with CATL to implement battery swap technology for commercial vehicles. This collaboration will see the adoption of CATL’s Choco-SEB standardized swappable batteries, with the infrastructure being provided by CATL’s Evogo battery swap network.
The joint venture between SGMW and CATL aims to introduce cost-effective Wuling-branded logistics vehicles, including models like the Starlight sedan, Bingo hatchback, and Zhiguan key car. By utilizing CATL’s swappable battery technology, the companies hope to enhance the operational efficiency and ROI of these vehicles.
CATL introduced the Choco-SEB batteries in 2022, along with the Evogo battery swap infrastructure. While CATL has previously partnered with FAW Group and BAIC for battery swap solutions, the development of the Evogo network has been relatively slow.
The Evogo battery swap stations feature scalable Choco-SEB batteries with a cell-to-pack technology offering an energy density of 160 Wh/kg. Each Choco-SEB block has a capacity of 26.5 kWh, providing a range of 200 km. Vehicles compatible with Evogo can accommodate up to three Choco-SEB blocks, totaling 79.5 kWh.
With the ability to replace a battery in just one minute, the Evogo stations can store up to 48 batteries and allow users to control the swap process through their phones. This technology is suitable for a wide range of vehicles, from small city cars to compact crossovers.
Despite the slow development of the Evogo network in China, CATL has ambitious plans to install over 500 battery swap stations by 2025 and more than 3,000 by 2027. The company’s ultimate goal is to deploy 10,000 battery swap stations. The partnership with SGMW is expected to drive the expansion of the Evogo network and accelerate the adoption of battery swap technology in the commercial vehicle segment.
