CATL Targets 4,000 Battery-Swap Stations in 190 Chinese Cities by 2026
Updated
Updated · The Information · May 11
CATL Targets 4,000 Battery-Swap Stations in 190 Chinese Cities by 2026
5 articles · Updated · The Information · May 11
CATL has already installed about 1,400 battery-swapping stations in 99 Chinese cities and plans to nearly triple that network to 4,000 sites across roughly 190 cities by the end of 2026.
The push aims to cut EV upfront prices by separating the battery from the car: CATL charges $83 a month for unlimited swaps or about $20 per one-off swap, while a swap itself takes about 90 seconds.
CATL said 11 mostly state-owned automakers are adapting 25 EV models to its Choco-Swap system, and 10 Chinese cargo-truck makers have also signed on.
The model targets cheaper mass-market cars: a swappable Changan Oshan 520 costs roughly $13,500 without the battery, versus about $18,300 for a comparable fixed-battery Changan Eado.
China is emerging as the main test bed for battery swapping even as the model has struggled abroad; Ample filed for bankruptcy in the U.S., Tesla shut its pilot, and CATL has yet to deploy stations in Europe.
As 6-minute charging batteries arrive, is China's massive bet on battery swapping creating a soon-to-be-obsolete infrastructure?
With China dominating battery tech, can Western nations ever adopt swapping without ceding control of their EV infrastructure?
Is battery swapping less about convenience and more about locking consumers into a new, powerful energy ecosystem controlled by CATL?
CATL’s Battery Swap Revolution: 3,000 Stations by 2026 and the Push for Global EV Leadership
Overview
CATL is rapidly expanding its integrated charge-swap network, unveiled in May 2026, as a key part of its strategy to lead the electric vehicle market. By introducing six new battery products and building advanced infrastructure, CATL aims to offer flexible and efficient power solutions that support a wide range of EV technologies. This network is designed to enhance the overall EV ecosystem and strengthen CATL’s market position by the end of 2026. Through these efforts, CATL is laying a strong foundation for its swap ecosystem and driving the future of electric mobility in China.