CATL plans to introduce its battery swap and recycling technologies to Europe and has initiated cooperation discussions with multiple European automakers regarding the swap technology.
Concurrently, the company aims to build 1,000 battery swap stations in China by 2025 and expand this network to 10,000 stations within the next three years.
According to the Financial Times, CATL plans to introduce its battery swap and recycling technologies to Europe. Jiang Li, CATL’s Board Secretary, stated that battery swap models hold “huge potential” in Europe for reducing battery costs and extending service life. This strategic move will undoubtedly bring fresh momentum to Europe’s new energy market.
It’s worth noting that several automakers have already adopted battery swap technology in Europe. For instance, NIO has deployed 60 swap stations across Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Stellantis has also introduced battery swap functionality for its Fiat 500 electric vehicle fleet in Spain.
However, CATL’s ambitions and scale will be substantially larger.
CATL has made significant progress with its battery swap business in China. Following its Hong Kong IPO in May this year, the division has accelerated rapidly.
The company officially announced plans to build 1,000 battery swap stations in China by 2025, expanding to 10,000 stations within three years. Its long-term target reaches 30,000–40,000 stations.
The latest-generation “Choco” battery swap station can perform up to 822 swaps daily. During charging, stations prioritize renewable energy whenever possible. Future large-scale deployment will create significant energy storage capacity, supporting vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems to enhance grid stability and renewable energy utilization.
Overseas, CATL’s market share in EV batteries has surged from 17% three years ago to 38% in 2024, securing the top position. Its German plant has become profitable. Additionally, CATL is building its largest overseas project in Hungary, with total planned capacity of 100 GWh. Phase 1 construction is expected to complete in 2025.
The plan to bring battery swap and recycling technologies to Europe marks another critical step in its global expansion. CATL has already initiated cooperation discussions with multiple European automakers regarding swap technology.
The EU’s New Battery Regulation—mandating a 95% battery recycling rate by 2030—compels leading suppliers like CATL to enhance full lifecycle management capabilities. CATL’s advanced recycling technology will significantly support Europe’s compliance with these requirements.
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