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Chinese Ride-hailling Platform, Didi, Partners CATL with Battery Swapping Technology
Chinese Ride-hailing company, Didi, has partnered with CATL, a Chinese EV battery manufacture to focus on battery-swapping technology. The partnership aims to rapidly establish battery-swapping stations and promote vehicles that support this technology. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has expressed support for battery-swapping tech in the public transport sector.
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Chinese electric vehicle battery giant CATL and ride-hailing powerhouse Didi have announced a joint venture focused on battery-swapping technology. This strategic partnership aims to capitalise on their respective strengths and make significant strides in China's electric vehicle charging infrastructure market.
CATL revealed in a statement on its official WeChat account that the joint venture will prioritise the rapid establishment of battery-swapping stations and the promotion of vehicles that support this innovative technology. The ultimate goal is to enhance the efficiency of public electric vehicle charging and contribute to a greener transportation sector.
"The public transport market is characterized by a large user pool and high charging frequency, making it a valuable business scenario for battery-swapping services," CATL stated in the announcement.
This joint venture comes on the heels of a recent statement from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, which expressed support for battery-swapping technology and announced plans for pilot projects in the public transport sector this year.
According to data compiled by the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Promotion Alliance (EVCIPA), the number of battery-swapping stations in China surged by 80% in 2023, reaching 3,567 by the end of December. However, fixed charging facilities still dominate the market, with 2.7 million public stands available in China by the same period.
Advocates of battery swapping highlight its time-saving benefits, as it takes just a few minutes to swap a battery compared to the average 20 minutes required for a full charge. This can significantly reduce wait times at charging stations, ensuring a smoother experience for electric vehicle users.
CATL's collaboration with Didi is not its only venture in the electric vehicle charging sector. The company has also partnered with Xiaoju Energy, Didi's new energy solutions provider, to offer charging services in over 190 cities across China.
CATL and Didi have formed a joint venture to focus on battery-swapping technology.
The partnership aims to rapidly establish battery-swapping stations and promote vehicles that support this technology.
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has expressed support for battery-swapping tech in the public transport sector.
Source: SCMP