If you’ve ever eyed an electric car and thought, “Sure, but what about charging time?”—you’re not alone. For many drivers, the fear of running out of juice and staring down a long charging session still lingers. The good news? A new player on the scene is tackling that head-on with a solution that’s downright jaw-dropping: a battery swap that takes just 100 seconds. Yep, you read that right. In less time than it takes to grab a coffee and pay at the pump, you can be back on the road.
This trick isn’t just a flashy gimmick. It’s powered by CATL’s innovative Choco-SEB battery pack, designed around the concept of battery swapping. Rather than waiting 20, 30, or even more minutes to see your charge level jump from 10 to 80 percent, you pull into a swapping station, and a robotic arm does all the work—no stepping out of your car required. In under two minutes, you drive away with a full battery, leaving those slow charges in the dust.
Under the Hood: Battery Swapping Explained
So how does this nearly two-minute miracle happen? It starts with CATL’s network of swapping stations, with plans to build 30,000 across China. Each station can store up to 30 Choco-SEB battery packs, ready for action. When you pull in, you simply park, activate the system, and let the automated process slide your depleted pack out and a fresh one in—all done by a precision robotic arm.
This system builds on the groundwork laid by Nio, but CATL’s execution stands out thanks to its own advanced chemistry choices. Choco-SEB batteries come in both LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) and NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) varieties, with capacities ranging from 42 to 70 kWh. In practice, that means top-line versions can deliver up to 550 kilometers of range on a single swap. And with the Oshan 520 sedan opting for the 56 kWh pack, owners can expect around 515 kilometers under real-world driving conditions.
Specs, Comfort, and What’s Next
Beyond the lightning-fast swap capability, the new Changan Oshan 520 sedan brings its own appeal. Measuring 4.77 meters long with a wheelbase of 2.77 meters, it’s squarely in Tesla Model 3 territory when it comes to footprint. Under the hood, there’s a 141-horsepower electric motor driving the front wheels, so you get peppy acceleration without sacrificing efficiency.
Inside, the Oshan 520 serves up a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a digital instrument cluster (size TBA). Comfort features include a heated and ventilated driver’s seat and a 360-degree camera system, making parking and maneuvering a breeze. While the sedan is currently exclusive to the Chinese market, its success could spur wider adoption of battery swapping elsewhere—once infrastructure catches up.
At its core, this rapid battery swap approach is all about easing range anxiety and turning EV charging into a frictionless experience. Rather than debating whether to stick with gas because “it’s faster,” drivers can come in, swap batteries in roughly the time it takes to buckle your seatbelt, and head out without thinking twice. It’s a small convenience that carries a big message: the EV future is arriving faster than you might think.
