- FAW Group’s Hongqi brand has joined CATL’s battery swap alliance to accelerate the adoption of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China.
- CATL launched its EVOGO battery swap brand in January 2022, with the goal of reshaping the way electric vehicle owners manage energy use.
FAW Group’s Hongqi brand has joined CATL’s battery swap alliance to accelerate the adoption of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China.
The partnership involves Hongqi entering into a framework agreement with CATL and its subsidiary, Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology (CAES), to promote the adoption of CATL’s Choco-SEB (Swapping Electric Block) battery swap technology.
Hongqi has become the second automotive brand in just one month to adopt CATL’s battery swap solution, following Changan Automobile’s similar agreement with CATL in November.
Changan showcased its Oshan 520 electric sedan, equipped with the Choco-SEB battery swap system, which promises to save EV owners up to two hours of charging time daily.
Under the framework agreement, the three companies will work together to integrate CATL’s Choco-SEB (Swapping Electric Block) technology into Hongqi’s electric vehicles (EVs).
CATL launched its EVOGO battery swap brand in January 2022, with the goal of reshaping the way electric vehicle owners manage energy use.
The Choco-SEB system is designed to allow vehicles to swap one or more battery blocks, depending on the desired range, offering a flexible and time-efficient solution to EV charging.
Although FAW has previously explored battery swap technology for its vehicles—especially in the ride-hailing market—this new collaboration with CATL represents a broader commitment to integrating battery swapping into its product lineup.
In 2021, Hongqi delivered its first battery swap-enabled models, the E-QM5, to ride-hailing partners in Changchun.
Earlier this year, Hongqi also filed for battery swap-enabled versions of its EH7 and EHS7 models, using lithium iron phosphate batteries from BYD’s FinDreams Battery division.
The partnership between FAW Hongqi and CATL comes at a time when the Chinese automotive industry is increasingly turning to battery swapping as a way to address the challenges of EV adoption.
With major players like CATL, FAW, and Changan leading the way, the technology is expected to play a key role in shaping the future of electric mobility in China and abroad.