An EV has to be equipped with the right technology to receive a swap — and not many models around the world currently have it. Automakers have to buy into the idea, and EV adoption among consumers also has to grow, so that investing in new infrastructure seems worthwhile. Consumers also have to be comfortable not owning their battery.

Could battery swapping change the landscape for electric cars in the UK? While this technology could thrive in China, its success in other nations remains uncertain. Battery swapping enables EV drivers to exchange their depleted battery for a fully charged one within minutes at a designated station.

The world’s largest maker of batteries for electric vehicles says it will get into battery swapping in China in a big way starting next year.

CATL has already co-developed 10 electric vehicles that will be supported by its network. Nio is the leader in EV battery-swapping and already operates over 2,600 stations in China. More than a decade ago,