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Truck Charging Solved: Minutes, Not Hours
28 Jun
Summary
- Battery swapping hubs will support 300,000 electric trucks.
- Electric lorries will swap depleted batteries in minutes.
- First hubs to launch in the UK by 2027.
Octopus Energy and battery giant CATL have joined forces to revolutionize electric freight transport in Europe through their joint venture, Swaptopus. This ambitious project centers on establishing large-scale battery swapping hubs designed to drastically reduce downtime for electric trucks. Instead of hours spent charging, electric lorries will have their depleted battery packs exchanged in a matter of minutes.
The first battery swapping hubs are slated to begin operations in the UK during 2027. By 2035, Swaptopus aims to operate more than 30 major hubs across Europe. This extensive network is projected to support upwards of 300,000 electric trucks. The initiative also anticipates attracting over £30 billion in private investment.
Beyond freight, the partnership is exploring energy storage and grid services, including Vehicle-to-Grid technology. CATL's chairman, Dr. Robin Zeng, highlighted the field-proven nature of battery swapping technology in China and expressed enthusiasm for its European deployment. William Rowe, CEO of Swaptopus, emphasized that battery swapping is a critical enabler for the future of electric and autonomous transport.
