At the Shanghai Auto Show, CATL—China’s battery giant—demonstrates that battery swapping is far from dead and that Nio isn’t the only player in the game. At the expo, the company unveiled 10 new electric vehicle models compatible with its new CATL Choco-SEB (Chocolate Swapping Electric Block) system.
These models were developed in collaboration with five major Chinese automakers: FAW Group, Changan Auto, BAIC Group, Chery Auto, and GAC Group—many of whom are also part of Nio’s Battery Swap Alliance. For now, the technology seems to be gaining more traction in China, while in Europe, where car ownership is viewed differently, battery swapping is struggling to take off.
The Choco-SEB Network is growing fast
The CATL Choco-SEB network is already operational in 16 cities and aims to reach 1,000 stations across 30 cities by the end of 2025. Existing partnerships with Sinopec, Nio, and Didi, along with support from transportation authorities, are laying the groundwork for a faster, more economical, and safer electric refueling ecosystem.
The new releases span across various segments—from executive sedans to family cars, to models aimed at young, urban drivers:
- Hongqi (FAW) introduces the EH7, a B+ segment sedan. This model is already sold in the Nordic countries, although without battery swapping technology, which is unlikely to arrive there.
- Changan Auto unveils three models: the affordable Qiyuan A05, the larger Qiyuan A07, and the sporty Deepal SL03, the platform behind the upcoming Mazda 6e.
- BAIC Group launches an electric family sedan under its Arcfox brand.
- Chery showcases the iCAR V23, the first “square box” style model compatible with Choco-SEB—likely a rugged urban SUV.
- Aion (GAC) announces that the Aion UT, Aion RT, the Aion V “Tyrannosaurus” smart SUV, and a new A-segment SUV will all support the Choco-SEB system.
The agreement with GAC is especially notable, marking the first full-scale collaboration across the entire Choco-SEB ecosystem. It includes swap station construction, battery banking services, marketing of swap-enabled vehicles, and second-life battery repurposing.
New 20# and 25# battery standards
To enable standardization and system scalability, CATL introduced two standardized battery formats, comparable to different fuel grades like “92#” and “95#”:
- 20# Block (for smaller A-segment vehicles): LFP battery: 42 kWh, up to 400 km range; NMC battery: 52 kWh, up to 500 km range
- 25# Block (for A and B-segment vehicles): LFP battery: 56 kWh, up to 500 km range; NMC battery: 70 kWh, up to 600 km range
The system allows users to select capacity based on their needs, moving away from owning the battery to a subscription-based model. Indicative monthly pricing in RMB is as follows:
25# LFP:
- 599 yuan (~€75) for unlimited kilometers;
- 499 yuan (~€55) for up to 3,000 km
20# LFP:
- 469 yuan (~€55) for unlimited use;
- 369 yuan (~€45) for up to 3,000 km
With this move, CATL is reaffirming its leadership in flexible energy solutions, offering a real alternative to traditional charging while laying the groundwork for a broader battery-swapping ecosystem.
