Shanghai (Gasgoo)- CATL and Sinopec recently signed a framework agreement in Beijing to expand their long-term strategic cooperation, with a focus on establishing a nationwide battery swap network, according to a press release CATL issued via its WeChat account on April 2.
Under the agreement, at least 500 battery swap stations will be built this year, with a long-term goal of expanding the network to 10,000 stations across China.
The partnership builds on existing collaborations in integrated energy station operations, energy storage, new materials, and technological innovation. Going forward, both parties will leverage their respective strengths to accelerate development in the battery swap sector.
During the signing ceremony, CATL's subsidiaries—Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology Ltd. ("CAES") and CATL QIJI Energy—inked a separate agreement with Sinopec Sales Company to advance battery swapping services. As part of the "10,000 Stations Plan," the parties involved will work together to create a comprehensive service ecosystem that integrates mobility, energy, and daily life, providing scalable and standardized solutions to support China's carbon neutrality goals.
The collaboration will combine Sinopec's extensive nationwide refueling infrastructure with CATL's cutting-edge battery and battery swap technology to enhance the construction and operation of battery swap stations. Specifically, they will develop solutions based on CATL's Choco-Swap technology for passenger vehicles and the QIJI chassis battery swap solution for heavy-duty trucks, aiming to overcome range limitations and establish a more efficient, convenient, and cost-effective energy replenishment network.
CATL remains committed to innovation, ensuring that high-quality batteries and advanced battery swapping solutions enhance the driving experience in the era of smart mobility. Its subsidiary CAES has already introduced battery swap-enabled models in partnership with leading automakers, including the Changan Oshan 520, the AION S, and the Hongqi EQM5, using the Choco-Swap system. Meanwhile, CATL QIJI has collaborated with truck manufacturers such as Sinotruk, FAW Jiefang, FOTON, and DeepWay, rolling out more than 30 battery swap-compatible heavy-duty truck models based on the QIJI system.
