Battery swapping for EV trucks to go mainstream as Octopus teams with CATL to service 300,000+ electric trucks across Europe

Date:
Sun, 28 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Description:
Octopus and CATL plan European battery swapping hubs supporting 300000 electric trucks while expanding energy storage capabilities.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Swaptopus plans battery hubs capable of supporting 300,000 electric trucks CATL and Octopus want truck batteries swapped within minutes Europe's freight sector could avoid lengthy charging delays through swapping Octopus Energy has outlined plans for large-scale battery projects aimed at accelerating the shift towards electric freight transport across Europe.

The company is working with battery giant CATL on battery technologies for freight transport, energy storage, and grid services. While the immediate focus falls on commercial transport infrastructure, the partnership could eventually help bring battery swapping into the mainstream European trucking market. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: Battery swapping takes priority before household storage Octopus and CATL have formed a joint
venture called Swaptopus to expand battery swapping infrastructure throughout European freight networks.

Instead of waiting for charging sessions to finish, electric lorries will exchange depleted battery packs within a matter of minutes. You may like Nio says it its Power Swap stations are swapping more than 1 million EV batteries a week This new EV battery is promising incredible six-minute charging speeds Octopus Energy just announced 30kWh home batteries to compete with Tesla Powerwall but they won't go on sale till 2027

CATL's largest commercial vehicle batteries can reach 1000 kWh, roughly 20 times the capacity found in an average electric passenger car.

"Electric trucks already beat diesel on running costs, the challenge is keeping them moving. Battery swapping changes that. Instead of waiting for hours, trucks can be back on the road in minutes, said Greg Jackson, CEO and Founder of Octopus Energy Group. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news
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By combining Octopuss software and energy expertise with CATLs world-class battery technology, were making clean freight practical at scale across Europe."

The first large battery swapping hubs are expected to begin operating during 2027, beginning with sites located within the UK.

Octopus and CATL intend to increase that network to more than 30 large hubs operating throughout Europe by 2035. What to read next BYD's Flash Charge is set to change people's perceptions of electric cars, according to BYD China just showed off its world-beating EV battery tech for instant charges China's carmakers want to push into Europe via underused factories

According to figures released alongside the announcement, the infrastructure could eventually support more than 300,000 electric trucks.

The companies also estimate the project could unlock more than 30 billion in private investment over the coming years. Vehicle-to-Grid plans could support future batteries Beyond freight transport, both companies are also examining energy storage technologies and wider electricity management opportunities across Europe.

One proposal involves expanding Vehicle to Grid technology across CATL's global network of automotive manufacturing partners and customers.

The companies believe millions of future electric vehicles could eventually return electricity back into national energy networks during demand peaks.

Battery swapping will be a significant part of the future of commercial transport. We have field-proven this technology in China, and we are
delighted to bring it to the UK and Europe said Dr. Robin Zeng, Chairman and CEO of CATL.

Together, our expertise in battery swapping, B2G (Battery-to-Grid) and energy storage, paired with Octopuss AI-powered energy trading and management technologies, will speed up the electrification of road transport across the region.

Swaptopus believes battery swapping hubs could eventually serve purposes extending well beyond keeping electric trucks on the road.

We believe the future of land based transport is electric and autonomous, and battery swapping is a massive part of the enabling infrastructure, said William Rowe, CEO and Founder of Swaptopus.

Not only does it significantly reduce down time but since the batteries at
the swapping stations can be charged and discharged when the grid needs it, they act as a virtual power plant and in turn lower costs for consumers. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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