- Swaptopus plans battery centers capable of supporting 300,000 electric trucks
- CATL and Octopus want to change truck batteries in a matter of minutes
- The European freight sector could avoid long delays in collections through swap
Octopus Energy has outlined plans for large-scale battery projects aimed at accelerating the shift to electric freight across Europe.
The company is working with battery giant CATL on battery technologies for freight transportation, energy storage and grid services.
While the immediate focus falls on commercial transportation infrastructure, the partnership could eventually help bring battery swapping to the major European road transportation market.
Battery change takes priority over home storage
Octopus and CATL have formed a joint venture called Swaptopus to expand battery swapping infrastructure across European transportation networks.
Instead of waiting for charging sessions to end, electric trucks will swap out dead batteries in a matter of minutes.
CATL’s largest commercial vehicle batteries can reach 1,000 kWh, approximately 20 times the capacity of an average electric passenger car.
“Electric trucks already outperform diesel in running costs, the challenge is keeping them moving. Switching batteries 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.
“By combining Octopus’ software and energy expertise with CATL’s world-class battery technology, we are making clean transportation practical at scale across Europe.”
The first large battery swapping centers are expected to begin operating during 2027, starting with sites located within the United Kingdom.
Octopus and CATL intend to grow that network to more than 30 large centers operating across Europe by 2035.
According to figures released alongside the announcement, the infrastructure could eventually support more than 300,000 electric trucks.
The companies also estimate that the project could unlock more than £30 billion in private investment in the coming years.
Vehicle-to-Grid plans could support batteries of the future
Beyond freight transport, both companies are also examining energy storage technologies and broader 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 that millions of future electric vehicles could eventually return electricity to national energy grids during peak demand.
“Battery switching will be an important part of the future of commercial transportation. We have tested this technology in China and are delighted to bring it to the UK and Europe…” said Dr Robin Zeng, President and CEO of CATL.
“Together, our expertise in battery swapping, B2G (Battery-to-Grid) and energy storage, along with Octopus’ AI-powered energy management and trading technologies, will accelerate the electrification of road transportation across the region.”
Swaptopus believes battery swapping centers could eventually serve purposes far beyond keeping electric trucks on the road.
“We believe the future of ground transportation is electric and autonomous, and battery swapping is a huge part of the enabling infrastructure,” said William Rowe, CEO and founder of Swaptopus.
“Not only does it significantly reduce downtime, but because the swap stations’ batteries can be charged and discharged when the grid needs them, they act as a virtual power plant, in turn reducing costs for consumers.”
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