CATL, Octopus Energy to Build Battery Swapping Network in the UK

CATL and Octopus Energy have announced plans to establish a joint venture aimed at building a battery swapping network for heavy-duty trucks in the UK, marking a new step in the electrification of road freight transport.

Announced on June 22, the partnership will introduce CATL's Qiji battery swapping technology to the European market, offering an alternative charging solution for commercial vehicle operators seeking to improve fleet utilization and reduce vehicle downtime.

The companies plan to deploy the first battery swapping stations in the UK by 2027. Initial locations will focus on major freight corridors, motorway networks and key logistics hubs, where demand for commercial vehicle electrification is expected to grow rapidly.

Under the long-term plan, the network is expected to expand to more than 30 battery swapping stations by 2035, extending coverage across England, Scotland and Wales. The companies said the goal is to establish a nationwide infrastructure network supporting electric heavy-duty transport on the UK's main freight routes.

The battery swapping network will serve a range of customers, including logistics operators, port authorities, retailers and private fleet owners. Future deployment plans also include integrating swapping stations into major distribution centers to support urban and regional delivery operations.

Beyond supporting the adoption of electric trucks, the project is expected to contribute to broader energy transition goals by increasing the utilization of locally generated renewable electricity and reducing dependence on fossil fuels within the freight sector.

CATL said it will continue to work with international partners to expand the application of advanced energy technologies and accelerate the low-carbon transition of transportation and energy systems worldwide.

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