Battery swapping allows drivers to change their empty EV batteries with charged batteries in a time period of approximately 100 seconds, and China is rapidly implementing this technology.
How is there so much progress?
NIO already had more than 2,800 battery swapping operating stations by the end of December 2024, and CATL has informed about its Choco-Swap network that became a part of more than 700 stations by the end of October 2025. CATL has plans to set up 10,000 stations soon by midterm. NIO partnered with companies such as Changan, Geely and Chery.
Is this business profitable?
Setting up the stations requires investment. CATL provides its subscription for 0.1 yuan per kilometer driven. Some sources say only each fifth NIO station is able to achieve profit. Swapping will also require using uniform battery packs which means that vehicles will have to be constructed with this procedure in mind.
Why should we care?
Faster battery swapping can improve range anxiety and encourage a faster transition to EV technology. Battery swapping stations can also become urban power energy reserves that can mitigate overloaded power grids, but recycling of old batteries will be required.
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