BAIC Group and CATL have signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Beijing to deepen their work on battery-swap technology, according to PCauto. The deal, announced on October 22, covers joint development of swap-compatible vehicles, battery supply, construction of charging and swapping networks, and battery asset management, with the goal of pushing swap-enabled models to large-scale deployment.
Standardized swap ecosystem
Under the agreement, multiple BAIC brands will integrate their compatible models into CATL's "Chocolate" battery-swap ecosystem. The standardized swap solution allows new vehicles to support quick battery exchange, and the two companies will work together on matching vehicle platforms with swap battery packs, unifying interfaces and calibration standards to shorten development cycles.
On the infrastructure side, BAIC will open up its dealer network to help CATL expand swap station coverage, using dealership locations to build a convenient refueling network for customers. The partnership also extends to business models such as battery banks and full-lifecycle battery management, with plans to streamline battery circulation, inspection, maintenance, and second-life use. By centrally operating swap battery assets, the companies aim to lower the upfront cost burden of buying a vehicle with a large battery pack.
According to public information cited by PCauto, the cooperation sets a target of promoting one million swap-enabled vehicles, building on a long-standing relationship between the two companies in battery supply and joint R&D.
Why swap matters
The focus on battery swap reflects growing demand for diverse refueling options in China's new-energy vehicle market. Compared with plug-in charging, battery swap offers a clear time advantage for commercial fleets and high-frequency users, though it places higher demands on platform standardization, station density, and battery asset management capabilities.
BAIC and CATL have collaborated for years on battery supply and technology development, and this agreement extends that partnership into the swap segment. The move comes as China's EV market increasingly embraces multiple refueling methods, with battery swap gaining traction particularly among ride-hailing and logistics operators who value minimal downtime.
