Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 5, On August 1, 2025, in Ningde, China, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology Ltd. (CAES), CAR Inc., and CMB Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (CMB Leasing) signed a strategic agreement to introduce large-scale battery swapping to China’s rental car industry. The collaboration, announced via CATL’s WeChat account, aims to integrate energy replenishment, asset management, financing, and mobility services to build a sustainable ecosystem for the transportation sector.

CAR Inc. will incorporate CATL’s “Choco-Swap” battery-swappable vehicles into its fleet, covering economy, comfort, and business segments for the mainstream A0 to B-segment market. A pilot program will launch in 2025, with a phased plan to deploy over 100,000 battery-swap-capable vehicles. These vehicles will use CATL’s standardized 20# and 25# battery blocks, providing ranges of 400–600 km, suitable for short- and long-term rentals, corporate fleets, and ride-hailing services.

For ride-hailing, CAR Inc. will acquire Choco-Swap vehicles in bulk, targeting Tier-1 and emerging Tier-1 cities. CAES will develop a battery health monitoring platform to ensure safety and consistent range performance in real time. The infrastructure will utilize CAR Inc.’s network of over 2,000 locations and parking facilities to establish battery-swapping stations at key transport hubs. These stations will enable seamless battery swaps during vehicle returns, prioritize solar power, and support grid stability through peak shaving and frequency regulation. The CAR Inc. app will integrate navigation and payment features for a streamlined “rent–swap–return” experience.

To enhance affordability and efficiency, CMB Leasing and CAES will offer competitive battery leasing solutions for CAR Inc.’s self-operated fleet. The four partners will also form a task force to collaborate with automakers on vehicle procurement, insurance, and used car management, aiming to optimize lifecycle costs and improve user experience.

This initiative reflects a commitment to advancing sustainable mobility in China by leveraging innovative battery-swapping technology and integrated services to meet diverse transportation needs.