China’s First Standardized Light Truck Battery Swap Ecosystem Officially Launches—120-Second Energy replenishment, 50% Cost Savings
On May 25, 2026, Earth-Top , CATL , and Times Power Service jointly announced in Shenzhen the official launch of China’s first standardized light truck battery swap ecosystem. This breakthrough initiative represents a major advancement in commercial vehicle energy replenishment infrastructure.
Revolutionary 120-Second Battery Swap Technology
The ecosystem’s standout feature is its “Chocolate” light truck battery swap technology, enabling complete energy replenishment in just 120 seconds. This remarkable speed allows drivers to swap batteries and return to operations immediately, dramatically improving vehicle utilization and operational efficiency compared to traditional charging methods.
According to official projections, over an eight-year vehicle lifecycle, electric light trucks utilizing this ecosystem can save more than 2,000 hours of charging time compared to conventional fuel trucks, while cutting energy replenishment costs to approximately half of traditional fuel expenses.
Modular Design Enables Passenger-Commercial Vehicle Compatibility
The “Chocolate” light truck battery swap stations employ a modular architecture design capable of simultaneously serving passenger vehicles with wheelbases between 2.7 meters and 3.75 meters, as well as commercial truck series models. This design ensures compatibility with both “Chocolate 25” and “Chocolate 35” battery packs, enabling true “passenger-commercial interoperability.”
This standardization approach significantly reduces infrastructure investment costs and improves station utilization efficiency, creating a more sustainable business model for fleet operators.
Expansion Plan: 500 Stations and 5,000 Vehicles by Year-End
As of the launch, 31 light truck battery swap stations have been completed in the Greater Bay Area, with plans to expand to 140 stations by year-end, establishing a core area 15-minute swap circle prioritizing coverage of highway arterial routes and logistics distribution nodes.
According to the joint plan, by the end of 2026, the three companies will deploy 5,000 standardized battery swap light trucks in the Greater Bay Area, building the nation’s largest standardized urban distribution battery swap operation cluster.
Implications for Commercial Vehicle Electrification
This standardized battery swap ecosystem addresses critical pain points in commercial vehicle electrification, particularly the challenges of long charging times and range limitations that have hindered adoption among logistics and delivery fleets. By achieving parity with traditional fuel vehicles in refueling speed while substantially reducing operating costs, this initiative could accelerate commercial vehicle electrification across China.
FAQ – Understanding Light Truck Battery Swap Technology
How does the 120-second battery swap process work?
The “Chocolate” battery swap system allows drivers to exchange depleted battery packs for fully charged units in just 120 seconds. The automated process involves driving the vehicle onto the swap platform, where robotic systems remove the depleted battery and install a charged one. Drivers can immediately resume operations without waiting for charging.
What cost savings can fleet operators expect?
Fleet operators can expect approximately 50% reduction in energy costs compared to traditional fuel trucks. Additionally, the time savings of over 2,000 hours per vehicle over eight years translates to improved fleet productivity and reduced operational downtime.
Which battery specifications are supported by the ecosystem?
The ecosystem supports both “Chocolate 25″ and “Chocolate 35” battery packs. The modular station design accommodates vehicles with wheelbases from 2.7 meters to 3.75 meters, enabling service to both passenger vehicles and light commercial trucks.
What is the expansion timeline for the Greater Bay Area?
Currently, 31 stations serve the Greater Bay Area, with plans to expand to 140 stations by year-end. By the end of 2026, the ecosystem will include 5,000 standardized battery swap light trucks, forming the nation’s largest urban distribution battery swap operation cluster.
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