Choco-Swap Battery Swap Stations Planned in Kunming

CAES and Kunming Development New Energy Plan 100 Battery Swap Stations

Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology Ltd. (CAES), a subsidiary of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL), has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Kunming Development New Energy Industry Investment Operation Co., Ltd. (Kunming Development New Energy) to jointly build 100 Choco-Swap battery swap stations. The agreement establishes a framework for expanding battery-swapping infrastructure in Kunming and brings together CAES technology and operational capabilities with the investment resources of the state-owned partner. The planned network is intended to support a standardized approach to battery swapping across the city.

Partnership Defines Investment, Technology and Operations

Under the agreement, Kunming Development New Energy Industry Investment Operation Co Ltd will be responsible for investment in the battery-swapping station assets, while CAES will provide its standardized battery-swapping system, operational support, and digital system support. The two companies will explore a co-development model in which station assets are held by the state-owned partner and the stations operate under the Choco-Swap system. This structure separates asset investment from technology and operational support while establishing a common framework for deployment and ongoing station management.

Standardization Supports Citywide Battery-Swapping Rollout

The companies also plan to standardize brand identity, battery configurations, pricing systems, and service standards across the planned network. These common specifications are intended to promote a standardized citywide rollout of battery-swapping services in Kunming rather than relying on independently configured stations. CAES will contribute the standardized battery-swapping and digital systems, while Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology Ltd will support operations under the agreed model. The partnership therefore combines standardized technology, coordinated service practices, and state-owned asset investment to establish a consistent battery-swapping network.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the planned battery-swapping project in Kunming?
The project involves CAES and Kunming Development New Energy jointly building 100 battery-swapping stations in Kunming under a strategic cooperation agreement. Kunming Development New Energy will invest in the station assets, while CAES will provide its standardized battery-swapping system, operational support, and digital system support. The companies will explore a model in which the state-owned partner holds the station assets and the stations operate through the Choco-Swap system. They also plan to standardize branding, battery configurations, pricing, and service standards to support a consistent citywide battery-swapping network.