SAIC-GM-Wuling collaborates with CATL to adopt the battery swapping solution for commercial vehicles. They will use standardized interchangeable batteries from Choco-SEB. CATL’s battery swapping infrastructure is called Evogo. This collaboration will help CATL advance the slow development of its battery swapping infrastructure.
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On November 18, the SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) joint venture announced a partnership with CATL to use battery swapping technology in the logistics vehicle segment. Two companies plan to make cheaper Wuling-branded logistics vehicles. This strategy aims to improve operational efficiency and return on investment of the vehicles.
It appears that three Wuling models will adopt CATL’s interchangeable technology: Starlight sedan, Bingo hatchback and Zhiguan key car.
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CATL has officially announced that SGMW vehicles will use Choco-SEB batteries. They were launched in 2022, together with the Evogo battery swapping infrastructure. FAW Group became CATL’s first battery exchange partner with the Bestune NAT electric minivan. This year CATL collaborated with BAIC. However, Evogo’s battery swapping network is developing slowly.
More about CATL’s Evogo battery swapping stations
In April 2022, CATL launched its first battery swapping station under the brand name Evogo in Xiamen. The battery exchange stations use scalable Choco-SEB batteries. They use cell-to-pack technology with an energy density of 160 Wh/kg. A single Choco-SEB block has a capacity of 26.5 kWh, suitable for a range of 200 km. The Evogo-compatible EVs can have up to three of those Choco-SEB blocks on board with a total capacity of 79.5 kWh.
The Evogo station can replace the battery within a minute. It can store up to 48 batteries. Users can control the battery changing process via phone. The battery swapping technology is compatible with a wide range of cars: from small city cars to compact crossovers.
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However, the Evogo network is developing slowly in China. The exact number of CATL stations is currently under 300 units. The exact number is unknown. However, CATL aims to install more than 500 battery swapping stations by 2025 and more than 3,000 by 2027. The company’s long-term goal is to install 10,000 battery swapping stations. It seems that collaboration with SGMW will be the driving force behind this project.