CATL (SHE: 300750) jointly unveiled a right-hand-drive taxi model supporting battery swap with partners in Hong Kong, as the company's first battery swap station in the city prepares to commence operations.
CATL subsidiary Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology (CAES), Dragon Rise New Energy, FAW's import-export subsidiary, and CATL's joint venture with Didi signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Hong Kong on November 24.
These companies unveiled a battery-swappable FAW Hongqi E-QM5 at the opening ceremony of Dragon Rise's battery swap ecosystem showroom, marking the world's first right-hand-drive new energy taxi supporting battery swap, according to a statement released yesterday.
The model utilizes CATL's Choco-SEB (swapping electric block) battery swap technology, enabling a full battery swap in 99 seconds.
The right-hand-drive Hongqi E-QM5 is equipped with a 56-kWh Choco-SEB battery pack supplied by CATL, delivering a CLTC range of 500 kilometers.
CATL's first battery swap station in Hong Kong is set to commence operations soon, with the company planning to expand to six stations by the end of 2026.
By 2027, CATL aims to establish 14 battery swap stations across Hong Kong, covering key areas.
CATL officially entered the battery swap sector on January 18, 2022, launching its EVOGO brand -- operated by subsidiary CAES.
Late last year, CATL significantly updated its battery swap business by introducing two standardized Choco-SEB battery packs, designated as #20 and #25.
On January 13 this year, CATL, FAW Hongqi, and Dragon Rise jointly announced the start of construction for Hong Kong's first Choco-SEB battery swap station on Ping Che Road in Fanling, New Territories.
CATL's long-term goal was to establish a new energy mobility network covering Hong Kong and ASEAN through the Choco-SEB battery swap model, according to an announcement at the time.
