Gasgoo Munich- China's battery giant CATL recently entered into a new strategic partnership with Chongqing Logistics Group, formalizing collaboration across transport electrification, battery swapping, and supply chain logistics.
Image source: CATL
According to a post CATL issued on April 7 via its WeChat account, the agreement also covers joint development of an intermodal lithium battery transport model, with both sides aiming to standardize operations for the "Qianli Qingzhou" corridor, a multimodal route integrating road and inland waterway transport.
The two companies have already built a foundation of cooperation in bus fleets and passenger vehicle battery swapping. Leveraging CATL's operational "Choco-Swap" battery swap stations, Chongqing has established a dense urban network that enables drivers to locate a station within ten minutes and complete a battery exchange in just 99 seconds. The system currently supports more than 5,000 new energy taxis, offering a fast and convenient alternative to conventional charging.
Looking ahead, the partnership will expand the battery swapping network to accommodate ride-hailing fleets and light-duty logistics vehicles. Beyond urban mobility, the companies plan to explore heavier-duty applications, including battery swapping for trucks, electrification of inland vessels, and the deployment of autonomous solutions for last-mile delivery. These initiatives are expected to gradually extend into long-haul freight and broader integrated logistics systems.
Over the longer term, CATL intends to deepen collaboration not only with Chongqing Logistics Group but also with additional industry partners. By anchoring efforts around battery swapping infrastructure and electrification solutions, the company aims to accelerate the transition toward zero-carbon urban transport and trunk logistics—delivering faster operations, lower costs, and reduced emissions across more cities.
