In Only 100 Seconds, You Can Achieve a Fully Charged EV | Carscoops

      China is poised to transform electric vehicle (EV) charging with the introduction of 1,000 fast battery swap stations, rendering conventional charging methods obsolete.

      By the end of this year, CATL aims to establish these stations in 31 cities throughout China.

      EV owners will be able to replace batteries in just 100 seconds, significantly faster than traditional charging methods.

      Each of the new 'Choco-SEB' battery stations is capable of facilitating up to 822 swaps daily.

      While Tesla was the pioneer in exploring battery swapping stations for its vehicles, it is the leading automakers in China that have fully adopted this technology, outpacing the market. Nio is currently at the forefront of battery swap innovation, with thousands of stations installed in China and a few emerging in Europe. Battery swapping is expected to become increasingly prevalent across China soon.

      This week, Changan Automobile introduced the first 1,000 units of its Oshan 520 sedan, designed primarily for local taxi services. These vehicles are noteworthy as they are the first to incorporate CATL’s latest Choco-SEB swappable battery packs.

      The standout feature is the rapid battery exchange—completed in just 100 seconds at specialized stations, which are set to become commonplace throughout China. Chongqing currently has 34 Choco-SEB swap stations, and by 2025, CATL intends to have a total of 1,000 of these stations across 31 cities.

      CATL, the largest EV battery supplier globally, has partnered with GAC, Chery, Nio, SAIC, FAW, BAIC, and others to manufacture EVs equipped with these new battery packs. As a result, vehicles from all those manufacturers will utilize CATL’s swap stations, each capable of facilitating 822 swaps daily.

      Regarding the Oshan 520, it features a 56 kWh battery, providing a commendable range of up to 515 km (320 miles). Priced at 166,890 yuan (approximately $23,100 at current exchange rates), it is relatively affordable for the typical Chinese consumer.

      The main advantage lies in the battery swap technology. Taxi drivers, for instance, can bypass the lengthy wait at high-speed chargers and exchange batteries in just 100 seconds—faster than filling up a conventional gas vehicle. In an economy where time is money, this represents a significant improvement.

      Numerous other Chinese EVs have already been confirmed to be compatible with the Choco-SEB battery system. These include the new GAC Aion S, Hongqi E-QM5, SAIC Roewe D7, BAIC C66, Wuling Bingo, Wuling Starlight, SAIC Rising R7, SAIC Maxus Mifa 9, and the SAIC Maxus Dana. Thus, it seems that battery swapping will soon become standard for EVs in China.