SAIC Motor (SHA: 600104) has entered into a collaboration with CATL (SHE: 300750) to develop and sell battery swap-enabled models, marking its entry into the battery swap alliance led by the renowned battery maker.
The partnership was solidified through a signing ceremony at CATL’s headquarters in Ningde, Fujian province, with SAIC chairman Wang Xiaoqiu and CATL chairman Robin Zeng in attendance, as announced in their respective press releases today.
CATL disclosed that SAIC will be responsible for the development and sales of battery swap-enabled models, while CATL will spearhead the development and evolution of the swappable battery blocks. The objective of this collaboration is to promote the adoption of the battery swap ecosystem and enhance the convenience of electric mobility for consumers.
Furthermore, CATL introduced its battery swap brand EVOGO in January 2022, operated under its subsidiary Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology (CAES), marking its official foray into the battery swap segment. Last month, the battery manufacturer unveiled two standardized Choco-SEB packs, denoted as #20 and #25, akin to the different grades of gasoline available in China.
CATL plans to collaborate with partners to launch 10 models utilizing these standardized battery packs, with one model slated for each quarter. SAIC, on the other hand, has been making strides in the battery swap arena, with its sub-brand Rising Auto launching the R7 SUV in September 2022 as the first battery swap-enabled model under the SAIC umbrella.
Despite its entry into the battery swap sector, Rising Auto’s sales performance has been lackluster, leading to its merger with Roewe under SAIC Passenger Vehicle in October last year. The collaboration between SAIC and CATL signifies a strategic alliance aimed at driving innovation in the electric vehicle industry and offering consumers a seamless electric mobility experience.
Overall, the partnership between SAIC and CATL holds promise for the development of cutting-edge battery swap-enabled models and the advancement of the electric vehicle ecosystem. This collaboration underscores the commitment of both companies to spearhead innovation in the electric mobility sector and enhance the overall consumer experience.
