Choco-Swap Battery Swapping Stations Pass 2,520 in China

On September 29, CATL's battery-swapping brand announced the completion of its Beibinhe East Road station in Chengguan District, Lanzhou. With that addition, the Choco-Swap battery swapping stations network had grown to more than 2,520 sites across 200 cities in 31 provincial-level regions as of September 29, 2026. Nearly 20,000 new batteries have been deployed at these stations. The milestone highlights how far the platform has extended its physical footprint and shows the reach of the network across the country.

Network Coverage Reaches Small and Medium-Sized Cities

The Choco-Swap network now covers first- and second-tier cities, while small and medium-sized cities account for more than 80% of the cities covered. This distribution shows that most of the cities served fall outside the largest urban centers. The stations are spread across 200 cities in 31 provincial-level regions in China, giving the network a broad national presence rather than a concentration in a few markets.

Automated 99-Second Swaps and a Standardized Design

Vehicles can complete an automated battery swap in just 99 seconds after entering a station. The platform uses a standardized battery-swapping solution, which allows vehicles of different brands and models to share the same battery-swapping network. Standardization matters because a single station can serve multiple vehicle makers rather than being tied to one brand, which broadens the potential user base for each site.

Digital Lifecycle Management for Deployed Batteries

In Q2 2026, Choco-Swap launched a nationwide initiative to deploy new batteries at its swap stations. The deployed batteries are subject to digital lifecycle management, with their health monitored using digital twin technology. Nearly 20,000 new batteries had been deployed across the network as of September 29. Monitoring battery health in this way gives the operator continuous visibility into the condition of the packs circulating through the stations.

Highway Network Plan Targets 1,000 Stations by 2027

For its highway battery-swapping network, Choco-Swap plans to build 1,000 highway stations between 2026 and 2027. The stations are intended to cover 20 major national highway corridors, forming a network of 11 north-south and 9 east-west corridors. The company also aims to establish an average of one pair of battery swapping stations every 100 km along these routes, extending swapping services to long-distance travel.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The expansion suggests that battery swapping is moving from a city-focused service toward a nationwide infrastructure layer in the Chinese market. Because a standardized design lets vehicles from different brands share stations, automakers could adopt swappable battery models without building proprietary networks, although uptake will depend on vehicle compatibility. The planned highway corridors may be especially relevant for long-distance drivers, since a station pair roughly every 100 km would support intercity trips with short stops. Drivers in small and medium-sized cities, which make up most of the covered locations, may benefit from broader access. The next milestones to watch are progress on the 1,000 highway stations through 2027 and how quickly the battery deployment scales.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many battery swapping stations has Choco-Swap built?
As of September 29, 2026, Choco-Swap had built more than 2,520 battery swapping stations across 200 cities in 31 provincial-level regions in China, according to the company's announcement. Nearly 20,000 new batteries have been deployed at these stations. The network also covers first- and second-tier cities, and small and medium-sized cities make up more than 80% of the cities served. The latest addition is the Beibinhe East Road station in Chengguan District, Lanzhou.

How long does a battery swap take at a Choco-Swap station?
Vehicles can complete an automated battery swap in just 99 seconds after entering a station on the network, which is the figure the company reports. The platform relies on a standardized battery-swapping solution, so vehicles of different brands and models can share the same network. Batteries deployed at the stations are managed through digital lifecycle management, and their health is monitored with digital twin technology. Together, these features support fast swaps and allow the network to serve multiple vehicle makers.

What are Choco-Swap's plans for highway battery swapping?
Choco-Swap plans to build 1,000 highway battery swapping stations between 2026 and 2027, covering 20 major national highway corridors across the country. The corridors form a network of 11 north-south and 9 east-west routes. The company also aims to establish an average of one pair of battery swapping stations every 100 km. Together, these targets aim to extend swapping services along major long-distance routes, building on the Q2 2026 initiative to deploy new batteries at its stations.