Energy recovery is one of the biggest challenges of the electric car. Every day new information or technologies emerge that promise to reduce loading times to the maximum. Swapping stations are an expensive solution that can restore battery life in just a couple of minutes. CATL has just launched its first battery exchange station in the hands of EVOGOa true expert in express changes.
CATL is the world’s largest battery producer. For the fifth consecutive year, the Chinese manufacturer is in first place in the production of batteries for electric vehicles. His signature is stamped on millions of cars throughout the world. But the tentacles of it are not limited to the manufacture of batteries. CATL wants to broaden horizons, focusing part of its attention on the loading process.
Earlier this year, CATL and EVOGO announced a collaboration for the installation and commissioning of battery exchange stations for electric cars. EVOGO has extensive experience as it its many services include battery swap for electric motorcycles. His patented system conquers the Asian markets, being able to change the battery in just a few seconds.
In this case we are talking about a slightly larger scale, but also with operating times reduced to a couple of minutes. At the moment it is only one station that is running, although CATL and EVOGO have announced that they expect to inaugurate a total of 30 before the end of the year, all of them in China, which will serve as a testing laboratory for a subsequent evaluation of expansion to other markets. Very similar to the strategy followed by NIO, which already has an operational station on European soil.
At the moment, in addition to only being available in China, EVOGO stations operated by CATL they only allow access to electric vehicles that have LFP battery modules, familiarly known as Choco-SEB for its great resemblance to a chocolate bar. Each of the batteries offers a capacity of 26.5 kWh, which represents an approximate autonomy of 200 kilometers. A very particular structure that for the moment greatly limits its operability.
In fact, in China, only the Bestune NAT manufactured by FAW Group is the only one to be able to enjoy this service. It is expected that in the coming months and years the range of cars will be extended to more models. The rental service is offered from an approximate cost of 63 dollars, although the price will be adjusted according to the level of energy consumption required by each client.
