A Chinese alternative to fast charging electric cars - the entire procedure takes about 1.5 minutes (5 photos)

Chinese automakers have bypassed the inconvenience of long-term recharging of an electric vehicle by simply replacing the entire traction battery. Nio currently operates thousands of battery exchange stations across the country, and now battery industry leader CATL offers a similar service.





As of May 2025, 34 Choco-SEB battery stations have been launched in Chongqing, and by the end of the year their number is expected to increase to 1,000 in 31 Chinese cities, Carscoops reports. Each of the service points is capable of handling up to 822 replacements per day, with automatic battery exchange taking just over 1.5 minutes.

Of course, the batteries must be standard ones for replacement, which required the consent of the automakers. The first to receive the new Choco-SEB replacement batteries were 1,000 Oshan 520 taxis from Changan. Soon, they will be installed in electric vehicles from GAC, Chery, Nio, SAIC, FAW, BAIC, with which CATL has concluded relevant agreements.