A Stelato S9T on display at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2026. Credit: CnEVPost
- BAIC will connect models across multiple brands to CATL’s battery swap network and open its dealer network to support station construction.
- The companies aim to build a battery swap ecosystem serving vehicles in the million level.
Beijing Automotive Group, or BAIC Group, has reached an agreement with CATL (HKEX: 3750) to deepen their battery swap partnership, expanding the range of compatible models and using its dealer network to support station construction.
The companies have formally signed the agreement, covering vehicle and battery development, swap station network construction, battery energy services and business model innovation, BAIC said in a statement on Thursday.
Under the agreement, BAIC will connect compatible models across multiple brands to CATL’s Choco swap network and jointly develop nationwide public energy replenishment infrastructure.
BAIC will also open its dealer network to support CATL’s deployment of swap stations around dealerships. The companies will work with dealers to explore joint station development and operation.
The companies plan to consolidate battery swap assets under specialized management, improve operating efficiency through a division of responsibilities, and promote unified swap standards and shared, interoperable networks.
BAIC and CATL sign an agreement to deepen their battery swap partnership on October 22, 2026. Credit: BAIC
Their goal is to build China’s first mature battery swap ecosystem serving vehicles in the million level, BAIC said. The statement did not provide a timeline or identify additional models or the number of stations to be built.
The agreement builds on an existing partnership. In June 2024, BAIC and CATL signed a deal covering swap-compatible vehicles, battery block development and battery data management.
BAIC’s electric vehicle brand Arcfox launched the Beta S3 on May 22 this year. Its battery swap version uses CATL’s Choco-SEB solution and offers a battery rental option.
In August, a battery swap version of the Arcfox Beta T1 also appeared in a vehicle filing catalog published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The filing showed that the vehicle and battery could be sold separately.
A broader lineup of compatible models could help CATL expand the user base for its swap network. Battery swapping can generate recurring revenue from battery rentals and energy replenishment services, but requires a sufficient vehicle base to support station construction and operating costs.
The expanded BAIC partnership comes shortly after CATL secured another partner. Huawei’s intelligent automotive technology company Newcool, also known as Yinwang, announced on October 19 that it had joined CATL’s Choco swap ecosystem.
That partnership will make models using Huawei’s Qiankun intelligent automotive solutions compatible with CATL’s swap network and connect data and services across vehicles, swap stations and cloud systems.
BAIC is also a Huawei partner. The companies jointly developed Stelato, a brand under HIMA (Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance).
CATL had built 2,520 swap stations across 200 Chinese cities as of September 29, according to information it previously released. Its long-term goal is to expand the network to 30,000 stations.
CATL also plans to build 1,000 highway swap stations in 2026 and 2027, extending its services beyond cities to long-distance travel.
The initial models are under development, with launches planned for next year.
