Top 7 China Battery Swapping Companies 2025
China is the global leader in electric vehicle battery swapping technology, with the world's largest network of battery swap stations. This approach offers a faster alternative to charging, with swap times as low as 3 minutes. Chinese companies have developed standardized battery formats, automated swap stations, and cloud-managed battery lifecycle systems. The technology is deployed across passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, two-wheelers, and heavy machinery, with over 4,000 swap stations operational nationwide.
TL;DR: China leads global battery swapping with 4,000+ stations. NIO pioneered passenger car swapping, while Aulton and GCL Energy focus on commercial fleets. CATL's EVOGO brings standardized modular swapping to the mass market.
Top Companies
NIO (蔚来)
2,500+ swap stations in China · 3-min full swap · 40M+ swaps completedNIO is the world's leading battery swapping company for passenger vehicles, with the largest network of swap stations globally. Their third-generation stations can handle up to 408 swaps per day with fully automated operation. NIO has also opened swap stations in Europe and is exploring technology licensing to other automakers.
Aulton New Energy (奥动新能源)
1,000+ swap stations · Multi-brand compatible · Founded 2000Aulton is China's largest multi-brand battery swapping operator, supporting vehicles from multiple manufacturers including BAIC, SAIC, and Geely. The company focuses on commercial vehicles (taxis, ride-hailing, logistics) where rapid turnaround is critical. Aulton has also expanded internationally with pilot stations in Europe.
GCL Energy (协鑫能科)
500+ swap stations · Focused on commercial vehicles · Power company backingGCL Energy, backed by the GCL Group energy conglomerate, develops battery swapping infrastructure primarily for commercial fleets including taxis, logistics trucks, and mining vehicles. The company integrates battery swapping with its renewable energy business, offering green charging and swapping solutions.
CATL (EVOGO)
EVOGO launched 2022 · Modular battery swapping · Choco-SEB standardCATL, the world's largest battery maker, launched its EVOGO battery swapping service featuring modular 'Choco-SEB' battery blocks. This approach allows flexible capacity combinations and is designed as an open platform that multiple automakers can adopt. EVOGO aims to standardize battery swapping across the industry.
NIO Power (蔚来能源)
Power Swap cloud platform · Battery leasing (BaaS) · Open platform strategyNIO's battery-as-a-service (BaaS) model separates battery ownership from vehicle purchase, reducing upfront EV costs by ¥70,000-128,000. The NIO Power platform manages battery lifecycle, health monitoring, and grid interaction. NIO is actively licensing its swap technology to other automakers including Changan, Geely, and JAC.
HiPhi (高合电池换电)
Partnership with NIO · Battery swap adoption · Premium EV segmentHiPhi, a premium EV brand, has adopted NIO's battery swapping technology through a strategic partnership. This represents the growing trend of battery swap technology sharing between automakers, expanding the ecosystem beyond NIO's own vehicles.
Bingo (绿程换电)
Focused on two-wheelers · 10,000+ swap cabinets · Shared mobilityBingo specializes in battery swapping for electric two-wheelers (e-bikes and scooters), with the largest network of swap cabinets in China. The company serves delivery riders and shared mobility operators, with swap times under 10 seconds. Bingo has deployed over 10,000 swap cabinets across Chinese cities.
Comparison Table
| Company | Key Product/Service | Focus Area | Scale/Metric | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIO | 3rd Gen Swap Station | Passenger EV | 2,500+ stations | 40M+ Swaps |
| Aulton | Multi-brand Station | Commercial Vehicles | 1,000+ stations | Multi-brand |
| GCL Energy | Commercial Swap | Taxi, Logistics, Mining | 500+ stations | Green Energy |
| CATL EVOGO | Choco-SEB Module | Multi-brand Platform | Pilot phase | Modular Design |
| HiPhi | NIO Partnership | Premium Passenger EV | Limited | License Model |
| Bingo | Two-wheeler Cabinet | E-bikes, E-scooters | 10,000+ cabinets | Two-wheeler Focus |
| NIO Power | BaaS Platform | Battery Lifecycle Mgmt | 2,500+ stations | Battery Leasing |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many battery swap stations are there in China?
China has over 4,000 battery swap stations as of 2025, with NIO operating the largest network at 2,500+ stations. Aulton operates 1,000+ multi-brand stations, and other operators including GCL Energy, CATL EVOGO, and various two-wheeler operators contribute the remainder.
How long does a battery swap take in China?
NIO's third-generation stations complete a full battery swap in approximately 3 minutes, comparable to refueling a gasoline car. Commercial vehicle swaps at Aulton stations take 3-5 minutes. Two-wheeler battery swaps with Bingo cabinets take under 10 seconds.
Is battery swapping cheaper than charging in China?
Battery swapping costs are generally comparable to fast charging, typically ¥60-100 per swap for passenger vehicles (depending on battery capacity and electricity rates). However, the main advantages are speed (3 min vs 30+ min charging) and battery health management, as swapped batteries are professionally maintained.
Can different car brands share battery swap stations?
Aulton operates multi-brand stations that support vehicles from BAIC, SAIC, Geely, and others. NIO is opening its network to partner brands including Changan, Geely, and JAC through technology licensing. CATL's EVOGO aims to create an open standard for modular battery swapping across brands.
What are the disadvantages of battery swapping?
Key disadvantages include high infrastructure costs (¥1-3 million per station), limited standardization between brands, and the requirement for vehicles to be designed with swappable battery packs. Charging infrastructure is more universal and continues to improve in speed. Battery swapping is most beneficial for high-utilization commercial vehicles.