China’s largest battery maker, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL), said it has completed its 1,000th battery swap station, marking a key milestone in its push to scale up battery swapping infrastructure nationwide.
The company said the milestone station was completed in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, bringing the total number of operational swap stations to 1,020 across 45 cities. CATL also raised its medium-term expansion target, saying it now plans to operate more than 3,000 battery swap stations across over 140 cities by 2026.
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The updated target exceeds earlier plans announced in October, when CATL’s battery swap subsidiary, Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology (CAES), said it aimed to have 1,000 stations in place by the end of 2025 and more than 2,500 by 2026. The company said it ultimately aims to build a nationwide network of 30,000 stations.
CATL added that it plans to begin large-scale deployment of sodium-ion batteries based on its Naxtra technology across the swap network starting in 2026. The company said the technology offers advantages in safety, low-temperature performance and resource availability, making it suitable for high-frequency swapping applications.
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In parallel, CATL is expanding its battery swap operations for commercial vehicles through its Qiji Energy unit. The company said it has already built 305 battery swap stations dedicated to heavy-duty trucks and aims to reach 900 such facilities by 2026, with coverage of around 80% of China’s major highway corridors by 2030.
CATL entered the battery swap sector in 2022 with the launch of its EVOGO platform and has since broadened its ecosystem to include standardized battery packs and partnerships with multiple automakers. Its Qiji Energy business, launched in 2023, has collaborated with more than 10 vehicle manufacturers to roll out over 30 truck models compatible with standardized battery swap systems.