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Electric lorry drivers in China are increasingly relying on battery-swapping stations to bypass traditional plug-in charging times on long-haul routes. With major battery manufacturers expanding the technology globally, the system promises to cut refuelling times to mere minutes while lowering upfront vehicle costs.
Saving Time and Fuel on the Road
Wang Bing, a 53-year-old lorry driver in southern China, transports goods daily between Haikou and Dongfang on Hainan island. Having spent nearly three decades driving diesel trucks before transitioning to electric models, Wang told Environment | The Guardian that his new vehicle equipped with a swappable battery has transformed his routine. While conventional plug-in charging previously took an hour and a half, swapping a depleted battery for a fully charged one now takes about five minutes. Wang noted that he does not even need to exit his vehicle during the automated process.
Beyond speed, the electric setup provides significant financial relief compared to fossil-fuelled alternatives. According to Wang, electricity costs roughly 1.1 yuan (12p) per kilometre in Hainan, compared to over 2 yuan (22p) for diesel, saving his logistics operations more than 20,000 yuan (£2,200) monthly.
How the Technology Operates
When an electric lorry approaches a facility, automated cameras identify the vehicle’s battery type via its number plate. Wei Jiuchun, a test driver at a Qiji Energy station in Suzhou, explained to Environment | The Guardian that drivers simply pull into a designated zone where the entire swapping procedure occurs automatically.
Mao Shiyue, a Beijing-based researcher at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), stated that the system also lowers the initial purchase barrier for buyers. Customers can purchase an e-truck without the battery—which typically accounts for 40% of the vehicle price—and instead rent it from a service provider. Furthermore, Mao explained that swapping stations can ease grid pressure by staggering charging times or returning stored energy back to the power grid during peak demand spikes.
Global Expansion and Industry Challenges
CATL, the world’s leading battery manufacturer, operates a subsidiary brand called Qiji Energy and aims to scale the infrastructure rapidly. Phate Zhang, founder of the Shanghai-based outlet CnEVPost, noted that CATL’s backing is essential for widespread adoption. CATL plans to operate 900 swapping stations across China by the end of the year and reach 2,000 stations by the end of 2027. Additionally, the company has partnered with London-based renewable energy supplier Octopus to launch battery-swapping mega hubs in the UK next year, targeting a network of over 30 hubs across Europe by 2035.
Despite rapid growth—accounting for roughly one-third of China’s zero-emission trucks in 2024—certain limitations persist. Xue Lulu, a senior associate at World Resources Institute China, told Environment | The Guardian that a lack of standardized specifications among manufacturers means drivers cannot use random stations, as battery placement and designs vary by brand. Xue also observed during field research that some drivers wait up to two hours outside stations to avoid peak-hour electricity tariffs. Consequently, experts note that the technology currently thrives best on fixed routes connecting ports, factories, and nearby cities rather than unpredictable long-haul journeys.
