CATL ramps up battery‑swap network and unveils 7‑minute charge battery for light commercial EVs

Chinese battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited (CATL) is expanding its battery‑swap infrastructure rapidly. By the end of 2026 it plans to open more than 200 swap stations each month, reaching the 2,000th station globally and targeting 3,000 stations across mainland China and Hong Kong, with a goal of over 4,000 worldwide. The network, called “Choco‑SEB”, can replace a depleted pack in about 1.5–2 minutes, and CATL has partnered with Octopus Energy to bring the system to the United Kingdom and other European markets.

In parallel, CATL introduced a new battery for light commercial electric vehicles, the Tectrans II. The pack supports an 8C peak charge rate, allowing a 20‑80 % state‑of‑charge rise in 6 minutes 48 seconds and a full charge in under 9 minutes. It maintains high‑speed charging down to –20 °C with only a modest additional time. The technology aims to make electric logistics as convenient as refuelling a conventional vehicle.