Chinese battery manufacturer CATL and automaker SAIC-GM-Wuling have entered a strategic partnership to develop ultra-fast charging technology and expand battery swap services. Signed in Ningde, Fujian province at CATL’s headquarters, the agreement builds on nearly a decade of cooperation between the two companies.
Under the terms of the agreement, CATL and SAIC-GM-Wuling will co-develop a charging solution capable of boosting an electric vehicle battery from 10% to 80% state of charge in under 10 minutes. As part of the partnership, SAIC-GM-Wuling has selected CATL as the core battery supplier for its upcoming lineup of more than 15 new energy vehicle models.
Additionally, SAIC-GM-Wuling’s battery swap models will be integrated into CATL’s nationwide battery swap network. CATL plans to deploy over 3,000 swap stations by the end of the year, offering battery modules ranging from 42 to 56 kilowatt-hours to suit varying range requirements. The network is designed to support a wide spectrum of vehicles, including micro EVs, A- and B-segment passenger cars, and commercial logistics vehicles.
Several Wuling models will adopt CATL’s “Choco swap” technology, which uses modular battery blocks. Each block is designed to provide approximately 200 kilometers of driving range, and drivers can install one or multiple blocks based on their trip needs.
This collaboration comes amid intensifying competition in China’s new energy vehicle infrastructure market. In March, a rival automaker launched a mass-produced charging gun delivering up to 1,500 kilowatts—marking a 50% power increase over its previous generation—and plans to roll out 20,000 flash-charging stations across China by year-end, with international expansion to follow.
Beyond strengthening their domestic charging and swap networks, CATL and SAIC-GM-Wuling will explore joint opportunities in overseas markets to further enhance their fast-charging and battery swap offerings.
Source: CNEVPost
