On June 12, CATL and Xiamen Public Transport Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement focusing on three key areas: vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications, aftermarket services, and the construction of a battery swap network. This partnership supports Xiamen’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality objectives by harnessing the energy storage potential of over 3,300 pure electric buses.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology
CATL will enhance its V2G capabilities to enable bidirectional energy flow between bus batteries and the urban power grid. By increasing the discharge power of its energy storage systems, CATL aims to balance grid demand more effectively. During off-peak hours, buses will charge when electricity prices and system load are low. At peak times—typically around midday and early evening—buses stationed at transit hubs will discharge stored energy back to the grid. If 1,000 buses discharge simultaneously, they could collectively function as a virtual power plant with a capacity of several hundred megawatts. This approach not only helps stabilize peak load but may also generate additional revenue for transport operators through price arbitrage.
Aftermarket Services and Full Lifecycle Management
Through its NING Service network and authorized service stations, CATL will deploy a fault early warning system to continuously monitor battery health. This system enhances safety, reduces reliance on third-party maintenance, and improves maintenance efficiency by over 30%. The full lifecycle management services are designed to address key operational challenges—maintenance, safety, cost control, and asset management—ensuring reliable performance for 95% of Xiamen’s electric bus fleet.
Urban Battery Swap Network
Leveraging resources at Xiamen’s bus depots, CATL will establish “Choco-Swap” stations throughout the city. Xiamen Public Transport Group will supply facilities, electricity, and management support, while CATL contributes battery swap equipment, standardized battery packs, a cloud-based platform, and maintenance expertise. This network will enable bus batteries to be swapped in just three to five minutes, drastically improving energy replenishment efficiency.
Looking ahead, CATL plans to integrate thousands of electric buses, sanitation trucks, and logistics vehicles into a distributed, mobile energy storage system. Strategic partnerships in cities such as Fuzhou, Nanjing, Guangzhou, and Chengdu are already in place. This large-scale network will strengthen grid stability and support the evolution of China’s modern power system.
Source: CATL News
