The world’s main EV battery maker needs to make fuel stations a factor of the previous. On Wednesday, CATL revealed bold plans to broaden its EV battery swap community with ten new fashions. By swapping batteries, EV drivers can get a totally charged pack inside two minutes. That’s even faster than filling up your fuel tank.
With a commanding lead over the worldwide EV battery market, CATL now has a brand new goal because it seems to be to part out gas-powered autos.
CATL introduced plans to roll out 1,000 EV battery swap stations throughout China subsequent 12 months as electrical fashions proceed to realize market share. The initiative is designed to speed up EV adoption by making it simpler and extra handy to drive an electrical automotive.
“Because the market chief, we are going to be part of arms with our companions to create a sound ecosystem to realize progressive breakthroughs,” CATL’s founder and chairman, Robin Zeng, mentioned throughout a press briefing on Wednesday (by way of The South China Morning Submit).
The battery big mentioned its new stations would allow EV drivers to swap batteries inside 100 seconds. At that, you can achieve a full cost quicker than it might take to fill a fuel tank.
CATL has been out there since 2022 after launching EVOGO, its battery swap model. Nevertheless, preliminary plans referred to as for smaller packs with the choice of utilizing multiple.
CATL updates plans to broaden EV battery swap stations
With its new “Chocolate” SEB batteries, CATL is making it even simpler. The brand new battery packs are a single unit designed for passenger automotive use. Zeng mentioned “an important factor” is the standardization of battery dimension. It has already secured over 107,500 orders for its Choco-SEB batteries from greater than 30 corporations.
Like totally different gasoline grades, CATL affords two new Choco-SEB batteries. The #20 pack is designed for A0 vehicles (small and hatchback fashions), whereas the #25 is constructed for bigger A or B-class autos.
Each packs can be obtainable in LFP-based or NMC chemistry choices. With a capability of as much as 42 kWh, CATL’s #20 LFP pack supplies a CLTC driving vary of as much as 400 km (248 miles). In the meantime, the #20 NMC battery pack, with a capability of as much as 52 kWh, can present a variety of as much as 500 km (310 miles).
The #25 LFP pack, with a 56 kWh capability, can journey as much as 500 km (310 miles), whereas the NMC choice, with a 70 kWh capability, supplies a variety of as much as 600 km (373 miles).
Pricing begins at 369 yuan, or about $51 per thirty days (#20 LFP pack) for as much as 3,000 km (1,864 miles). You can too go for limitless mileage for 469 yuan ($64).
The worldwide battery chief revealed ten new EVs collectively developed with its companions that may use the brand new battery swap tech. These embody a number of extremely anticipated fashions just like the GAC AION S, Wuling Bingo and Starlight, in addition to SAIC’s Rising F7, Maxus Mifa 9, and Maxus Dana.
CATL plans to construct at the very least 30,000 EV battery swap stations sooner or later. The primary 1,000 can be constructed by CATL, and the next 10,000 can be developed collectively with its companions.
A number of different corporations in China, together with NIO, are quickly increasing EV battery swap stations throughout China. In line with CnEVPost, NIO’s swap community now covers 18 of China’s busiest highways with 913 stations.
Supply: SCMP, CATL
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