China’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturer, Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Limited (CATL), announced this week that it has agreed to move forward with an earlier framework agreement with China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) to establish a nationwide battery swapping network across the country.
CATL and Sinopec already collaborate in a number of areas, including the construction and operation of integrated energy stations, energy storage systems (ESS), energy products, and in the development of new materials and technologies. The two companies have now agreed to expand this collaboration into the battery swapping sector.
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CATL and Sinopec have agreed to jointly establish a battery-swapping “ecosystem” across China, with at least 500 battery swap stations scheduled to be built by the end of 2025 – rising to 10,000 outlets in the long term.
At the signing ceremony this week, CATL confirmed that the two parties will “work together to create an integrated service network connecting ‘People, Vehicles, Energy, and Life,’ which will provide standardized and scalable support for the achievement of China’s dual-carbon goals.”
Sinopec will make available its extensive nationwide petrol station network and energy infrastructure capabilities to the partnership, while CATL will contribute its advanced battery technologies and its Choco-Swap and QiJi battery swapping solutions. Together, they aim to overcome the charging bottlenecks faced by passenger and commercial vehicle drivers in the country by establishing “a more efficient, convenient, and cost-effective energy replenishment network.”
CATL said it remains committed to “creating value for consumers through technological innovation, ensuring everyone has access to high-quality batteries and a better driving experience in the era of smart vehicles.”
