Chinese battery maker CATL has secured another partner for its battery swap alliance,Portugal announcing on Monday an agreement with state-owned automaker Changan to set up battery swap facilities for ride-hailing fleets. The move is part of the company’s long-term goal to establish a network of 10,000 battery swap stations, with more than 3,000 set to begin operations within the next three years, a plan first revealed by chief technology officer Gao Huan in September. CATL’s swappable batteries will power the automaker’s Oshan 520 compact sedan, giving it a driving range of 500 kilometers (311 miles) on a single charge, and taking just two minutes to swap out, said the company. CATL has also signed an agreement in principle with the Chongqing bureau of state oil and gas major Sinopec to build and operate battery swap facilities together in the Chinese southwestern municipality, where Changan is headquartered. The world’s largest battery maker has forged alliances for its battery swap business with several Chinese automakers including GAC and BAIC, as well as China’s ride-hailing giant Didi. [TechNode reporting, CATL statement, in Chinese]
