CATL partners with Octopus Energy to establish joint venture

On June 22, CATL and the UK’s largest energy company—Octopus Energy—announced that they will form a joint venture. The two sides will jointly build a battery-swapping network for heavy-duty trucks in Europe.

CATL will introduce its Qiji battery-swapping technology to Europe. By improving the energy replenishment efficiency of heavy-duty trucks, the partnership aims to accelerate the electrification transition of road freight transportation.

According to the plan, the two companies will build the first demonstration battery-swapping stations in the UK by 2027, prioritizing major highway corridors and key logistics ports. By 2035, the network is expected to expand to more than 30 stations, covering Scotland and Wales and forming a battery-swapping network across the UK’s main transport routes.

Once completed, the network will provide efficient energy replenishment services for major UK logistics companies, port operators, retail enterprises, and private fleets. The partners also plan to integrate battery-swapping stations into large distribution centers to support urban delivery scenarios.

As a key piece of road freight infrastructure, the network is expected to improve the utilization of local clean electricity in the UK and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Looking ahead, CATL will continue working with global partners to provide advanced new energy solutions and services, supporting the low-carbon transition of global transportation and energy systems.