Arcfox, the electric vehicle brand of Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), has filed a battery-swapping version of its Beta T1 with Chinese regulators, adding another model to the automaker’s expanding entry-level electric vehicle portfolio.
The vehicle appeared in the latest batch of filings published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on Friday. The regulatory process is generally one of the final steps before a new model can enter the Chinese market.
Beta T1 Joins CATL Battery Swap Network
The filing indicates that the Beta T1 will support a vehicle-and-battery separation sales model and can carry CATL’s Choco-SEB battery-swap badge.
Under the model, customers can purchase the vehicle without owning the battery and instead lease the battery separately. The approach can reduce the upfront purchase cost while allowing drivers to replace a depleted battery at compatible swapping stations.
The filing also strengthens the relationship between Arcfox and CATL in battery-swapping technology. Arcfox has already adopted CATL’s Choco-SEB system for the Beta S3.
Five-Seat EV Keeps Existing Dimensions
The battery-swapping Beta T1 is largely unchanged in appearance from the version already available in China.
The five-seat electric sedan measures 4,375 mm long, 1,860 mm wide and 1,572 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,770 mm.
Its electric motor produces a peak 95 kW, while the vehicle has a top speed of 150 km/h.
The filing lists a curb weight of 1,555 kg.
The Beta T1 uses lithium iron phosphate batteries, with the battery pack supplied by CATL.
Two driver-assistance hardware configurations are available, using either three radar sensors or six radar sensors for different levels of functionality.
Beta T1 Starts Below 63,000 Yuan
Arcfox launched the Beta T1 in China in June with a limited-time subsidised starting price of 62,800 yuan ($9,250).
The charging version is currently offered with claimed driving ranges of 350 km and 450 km. Arcfox previously said a longer-range 550-km version would follow about two months after the initial launch.
The company has not yet disclosed pricing or range specifications for the battery-swapping configuration.
CATL Expands Choco Battery-Swap Network
The Beta T1 is the second Arcfox model to adopt CATL’s Choco-SEB battery-swapping solution.
The Beta S3 launched on May 22 with a battery-swapping version priced from 59,800 yuan under the battery-leasing model. That was below the 79,800-yuan starting price of the conventional charging version.
CATL has been expanding its battery-swapping infrastructure across China. By the end of June, the company had built 2,000 Choco swap stations across 180 cities in 31 provinces, according to the supplied figures.
The expansion of the network could provide Arcfox with a broader infrastructure base for battery-swapping models as the brand targets price-sensitive EV buyers.
The Beta T1 battery-swap version is expected to reach the market within several months following its regulatory filing, although Arcfox has not yet announced its official name, variant lineup or launch date.
