Have you ever timed how long it takes you to fill up your tank? Probably between three and five minutes, if everything goes smoothly. Well, get ready to change your mind about what you thought was impossible in the electric world. In China they have just put on the road the first electric cars that "fill up" in 100 seconds flat. It is not science fiction, it is not a laboratory prototype: there are already 1.000 operational vehicles that use the CATL batteries Choco-SEB, the fastest battery replacement system ever seen. While we Europeans are still arguing about charging times, they have already crossed the finish line.
The moment of truth for CATL batteries
The story begins in Chongqing, where Changan Automobile delivered the first batch of Oshan 520, the electric sedan that is the first to feature replaceable batteries Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL). One thousand vehicles ended up directly in the hands of a local taxi company. Why taxis? Simple: for them every minute of downtime is money lost, and 100 seconds for a fully charged battery they represent a small fortune in terms of operations.
The system Choco-SEB (Swapping Electric Block) isn’t just fast: it’s smart. Modular batteries allow you to install one to three blocks per vehicle, depending on your needs. One block provides about 200 kilometers of autonomy, perfect for urban use. For longer trips? Add two more and you’re done. It's like having a modular suitcase: take what you need, when you need it.
How CATL Interchangeable Batteries Really Work
Behind the apparent simplicity lies a refined technology. Each Choco-SEB module weighs relatively little thanks to the technology Cell-to-Pack by CATL, which eliminates intermediate modules and directly connects the cells to the battery pack. Result: energy density of over 160 Wh/kg and 325 Wh/liter. Not bad for something that can be changed in less than two minutes.
The exchange stations occupy the space of three parking lots and can accommodate up to 48 batteries. CATL simultaneously. Each station can handle 822 replacements per day with a 99,99% success rate. The numbers speak clearly: CATL aims to build 1.000 stations by 2025, to reach 30.000 in the final phase of the project.
But there is a detail that makes everything even more interesting: CATL batteries use LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry, safer and less expensive than traditional NMC. These cells prefer to be charged to 100% and are practically immune to thermal runaway, the phenomenon that can lead to battery fires. A technical choice that demonstrates how CATL has thought long term.
The Ecosystem That Changes Everything for CATL Batteries
The real paradigm shift is not the speed of replacement, but the business model. CATL batteries do not belong to the car owner: they are rented. The cost? About 0,1 yuan per kilometer, equivalent to just over one euro cent. For the end user this means two huge advantages: a 35% reduction in the initial cost of the car and over 10% in insurance costs.
As we have already highlighted in previous analyses, the life cycle of electric batteries is crucial for the overall sustainability of the system. With the CATL model, responsibility for durability and recycling passes to the manufacturer, who has every interest in maximizing the efficiency and longevity of his products.
The system provides two “grades” of batteries, just as gasoline has 95 and 98 octane. “20#” It is intended for city cars, with ranges of up to 500 kilometres. The “25#” serves larger vehicles, guaranteeing up to 600 kilometers of travel. A standardization that recalls the early days of the automotive industry, when it was decided that all cars had to have the same type of fuel.
Market reaction to CATL batteries
The booking numbers speak for themselves: Changan has already collected over 15.000 orders for the Oshan 520 from corporate customers. It is not just a question of technological curiosity, but of real demand from a market that has understood the potential of the system.
But CATL didn't stop at just one partner. The CATL battery alliance includes some big names: GAC extension, BAIC, wuling, SAIC, FAW and even NIO under the new Firefly brand. Ten different models are already planned for 2025, all compatible with the Choco-SEB system. Standardization is the real goal, as stated by the CEO Robin Zeng: continue to promote the standardization of battery swap, with the core on the standardization of battery sizes.
The comparison with the competition is merciless. The stations NIO, the previous leader in the sector, manage 408 replacements per day, with 3 minutes per operation. CATL batteries double your daily capacity in half the time. It's not just an incremental improvement: it's a generational leap.
The Near Future of Batteries
By 2030, According to CATL forecasts, Battery swap will cover a third of the energy needs of electric vehicles, along with home and public charging. A vision that may seem optimistic, but has already begun to materialize.
CATL stations are not just exchange points: they are real energy hubs. The B2G (Battery to Grid) system allows batteries to return energy to the grid when needed, transforming each station into a distributed storage system. It is estimated that the entire network can handle 33,6 million kWh of storage in the stations and 1,12 billion kWh in vehicles.
Furthermore, CATL battery technology integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure. Choco-SEB vehicles support both swapping and traditional charging, offering total flexibility to users. For daily urban journeys, a quick swap. For occasional trips, night-time charging at home. A pragmatic approach that does not exclude existing solutions but enhances them.
Why the West is falling behind
While China is accelerating with CATL batteries, Europe and the United States still seem to be anchored to the paradigm of ultra-fast charging. Tesla Superchargers promise 320 kilometers in 15 minutes, a remarkable performance that pales in comparison to the 100 seconds in China.
The problem is not just technological: it is cultural and economic. The Western model is based on individual ownership of the car and its battery. The CATL system reverses this concept, transforming the battery into a service. It's the difference between buying a CD and subscribing to Spotify.
The Road to Battery Sustainability also passes through this paradigm shift. With the traditional model, each car has its own battery that ages along with the vehicle. With the CATL system, the batteries are continuously optimized and reused to their maximum potential.
The game is being played now, while the West is still planning its next moves. CATL already holds 38,2% of the global electric vehicle battery market, a domain that the Choco-SEB system could further consolidate. The question is not whether this technology will work, but how long it will take for us to understand that the game has already changed.
The future of the electric car may not be through charging stations, but through exchange stations. And that future, at least in China, has already begun.
