The electric vehicle revolution is picking up speed, and a major player in battery technology is making sure you can keep up. CATL, a giant in the battery world, is seeing its innovative battery swap system, known as Choco-SEB, gain serious traction. Both GAC Aion and BAIC Arcfox are gearing up to launch new models that will seamlessly integrate with CATL’s Choco swap network, promising a future where ‘refueling’ an EV is as quick as, well, swapping a battery.
GAC Aion is set to officially unveil a battery swap version of its Aion RT sedan in April. Imagine this: you pull into a station, and in just 99 seconds, your car is ready to go with a fully charged battery. That’s the kind of ultra-fast energy replenishment CATL is promising. For context, the Aion RT was already a compelling family sedan, with its updated models launched in September 2025, starting around 99,800 yuan. Now, with the battery swap option, it’s poised to become even more appealing for daily drivers.
Following suit, Arcfox is also preparing to debut a battery swap variant of its new-generation pure-electric family sedan. This model will also tap into CATL’s Choco network, offering that same impressive 99-second swap time. This isn’t just a minor update, it’s a significant move that could drastically change how we think about EV charging infrastructure.
This isn’t the first time automakers have leaned into CATL’s battery swap technology. GAC Aion already offers the Aion UT super, which supports both charging and battery swapping. Launched in November 2025, it targets the budget-conscious segment with a starting price of just 49,900 yuan under a battery rental scheme, making EVs more accessible than ever.
CATL’s commitment to this technology is clear. They’ve inked long-term strategic cooperation agreements with both GAC Group (a 10-year deal signed in November 2025) and BAIC (a partnership formed in June 2024 focusing on skateboard chassis and battery swap models). These collaborations are fueling the rapid expansion of CATL’s Choco swap stations. By the end of 2025, they had already established 1,020 stations across 45 key cities in China.
The momentum is undeniable. CATL even boosted its 2026 station construction target at the end of 2025, aiming for over 3,000 stations, up from the initial 2,500. Their ambitious long-term vision includes a massive network of 30,000 stations and a franchise program. Plus, they’re looking to integrate high-performance sodium-ion batteries into the mix on a large scale starting in 2026. This push signifies a major shift in the EV landscape, making the convenience of battery swapping a real contender against traditional charging methods. The rapid pace of innovation in China’s EV sector, driven by companies like CATL, is truly reshaping the global automotive industry. It’s exciting to see how these advancements will impact daily driving and ownership costs for consumers.
