SAIC Motor, CATL cement cooperation in tech R&D, battery swapping, global expansion

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On January 10, CATL announced it has signed an agreement with SAIC Motor to cement their strategic collaboration in multiple areas, including co-development of technologies, aftermarket services for vehicles and batteries, overseas expansion, and battery-swapping innovations.

Under the agreement, CATL and SAIC Motor will jointly develop power battery products tailored to the latter's vehicle lineup. CATL's cutting-edge technologies, such as the Qilin Battery and Shenxing Battery, will be prioritized for integration into SAIC Motor's models. The Shanghai-based automobile giant has also designated CATL as its preferred supplier for automotive power batteries.

In the aftermarket sector, the two companies aim to deepen collaboration in areas such as charging station development, used car business models, and battery recycling and repurposing.

To support SAIC Motor's global expansion, CATL will leverage its overseas resources to establish local supply chains through production bases and after-sales service networks.

The partnership also includes plans to explore battery-swapping solutions. SAIC Motor will develop and market battery-swappable vehicles, while CATL and its affiliates will provide standardized swappable batteries and relevant services, including battery sales, leasing, and swap operations.

At the Choco-Swap Ecosystem Conference on December 18, 2024, CATL introduced two standardized Choco-SEB (Swapping Electric Blocks) named 20# and 25#, inspired by gasoline grades such as 92# and 95#.

The 20# swapping electric block, which is based on LFP battery, offers a capacity of 42 kWh with a range of 400 kilometers, while the ternary-lithium-battery-based version provides 52kWh and a 500-kilometer range. The 25# SEB offers 56 kWh (LFP battery) or 70 kWh (ternary-lithium battery), enabling ranges of 500 and 600 kilometers, respectively. These SEBs are compatible with A0-segment and A/B-segment vehicles.

In addition, CATL has forged partnerships with major automakers, including Changan Auto, GAC Group, BAIC Motor, Wuling, and FAW Group, to launch 10 battery-swappable vehicle models. Several SAIC Motor's models are among the lineup.