Why has no automaker adopted CATL’s 'Chocolate Battery' modular battery-swapping model—despite its apparent suitability for the Wuling Bumblebee?

PChome, October 23: BAIC Group and CATL have officially signed a comprehensive agreement to deepen cooperation on battery-swapping services. The two parties will collaborate across the entire value chain—including vehicle and battery R&D, battery-swap station construction, battery energy services, and business model innovation—to jointly advance the large-scale implementation of a battery-swapping ecosystem. Under the agreement, BAIC Group will integrate compatible models from its multiple brands into CATL’s 'Chocolate Swap' system. Leveraging strategic synergy between the two sides, they aim to build a nationwide, interoperable public energy-refueling network. Meanwhile, BAIC will open up its dealer channels, enabling CATL to construct swap stations precisely around dealer locations and jointly explore co-managed operational mechanisms—integrating sales and distribution networks with energy infrastructure. This collaboration goes beyond conventional OEM–battery supplier partnerships; it seeks to close the loop across 'vehicles–batteries–swap stations–operations services.' Both parties explicitly aim to unify battery-swapping standards and professionalize asset management, enhancing operational efficiency through clear division of labor—with the ultimate goal of building a mature, one-million-vehicle-scale battery-swapping industrial ecosystem.

Has the 'spring of battery swapping' truly arrived? Three major agreements signed in just three weeks!

Battery swapping—a sector long mired in skepticism and controversy—appears to have finally reached its 'domino moment.' Recently, BAIC Group and CATL jointly announced they have formally signed the 'Comprehensive Agreement on Deepening Battery-Swapping Cooperation,' aiming to jointly establish China’s first mature, one-million-vehicle-scale battery-swapping industrial ecosystem. Within just over three weeks since September 28, this marks the third major agreement on battery-swapping cooperation signed by players in China’s automotive industry—has the 'spring of battery swapping' truly arrived? BAIC and CATL target one million vehicles! Similar to CATL’s recent agreement with Yinwang Company, the two parties issued slightly different press releases. CATL stated it will cooperate with BAIC Group on vehicle development, battery supply for swapping, swap-network construction, battery-as-a-service ('battery banking'), and business-model innovation—to promote standardization and scale-up across the industry. BAIC Group’s statement is even more detailed: the two sides will deepen collaboration across the full value chain—including joint design and R&D of vehicles and batteries, construction of swap-station networks, development and promotion of battery-energy service products, and innovation in business models. They will jointly push for unified industry standards and interoperable, shared networks—accelerating the mass adoption and public accessibility of battery-swapping technology. Notably, 'building a one-million-vehicle-scale battery-swapping ecosystem' is a shared goal. To achieve this, BAIC Group will not only actively integrate compatible models from its multiple brands into CATL’s Chocolate Swap ecosystem but also open its dealer network—enabling precise deployment of Chocolate Swap stations around dealer locations—and deeply explore co-managed, joint-operational models with dealer teams. Three agreements in three weeks! In fact, the agreement between BAIC Group and CATL is indeed 'comprehensively deepened.' As early as June 2022, the two parties and Times Energy Service jointly signed a framework agreement on battery-swapping projects. On May 22 this year, the Arcfox Beta S3—supporting the Chocolate Swap system—was launched; buyers opting for the battery-leasing (BaaS) version enjoyed a time-limited promotional price starting at just ¥59,800. As noted above, this is the third major battery-swapping cooperation agreement signed within just over three weeks in China’s automotive industry: On September 28, Geely Holding Group and NIO formally entered into a comprehensive strategic partnership covering charging and battery-swapping; on October 19, Yinwang Company, CATL, and Times Energy Service jointly signed the 'Strategic Cooperation Agreement on Intelligent Energy-Replenishment Ecosystem.'

CATL, BAIC Target 1 Million Cars With New Battery Swap Network

20 hours ago

CATL and BAIC plan a battery-swapping network targeting 1 million vehicles to diversify revenue amid cooling domestic car sales. The partnership expands infrastructure cooperation across multiple brands in China's competitive EV market.

bloomberg

2026-10-22

CATL, BAIC Target 1 Million Cars With New Battery Swap Network

CATL, BAIC Target 1 Million Cars With New Battery Swap Network

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