First EV with CATL Choco-SEB swappable battery started deliveries in China

The first 1,000 Changan Oshan 520 EV sedan units with a CATL’s Choco-SEB swappable battery were delivered to a Chongqing taxi operator in China. Priced at 166,800 yuan (23,150 USD), the Oshan 520 offers up to 515 km of CLTC range and an e-motor for 105 kW (141 hp). It can swap a battery pack in 100 seconds, thanks to CATL’s tech on board.

Last year, the world’s biggest NEV battery maker, CATL, released the Choco-SEB (Swapping Electric Block) project. The battery giant aimed to standardize battery swaps across China and build 30,000 swap stations. Such companies as Changan, GAC, FAW, SAIC, BAIC, SGMW, and Nio joined the CATL’s battery swap syndicate. On May 25, the first EV with CATL’s Choco-SEB started deliveries in China.

Changan Oshan 520 deliveries in China

On May 25, Changan Automobile disclosed that the first batch of 1,000 Oshan 520 sedans was delivered to a taxi operator in Chongqing. Changan officials highlighted that the company secured over 15,000 orders for the Oshan 520 from corporate clients. Chongqing is Changan’s hometown. It is the largest city in China with a population of around 32 million people, including rural areas.

During the delivery ceremony, Changan officials noted that Chongqing became the first city to adopt CATL’s newest battery swap stations. The biggest battery maker has already established 34 stations in this city. It also plans to open 16 more stations here by the end of 2025. Each station can store up to 30 batteries. It is also capable of performing a battery swap in 100 seconds.

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More about Changan Oshan 520

The Changan Oshan 520 is an electric variant of the petrol-powered Changan Eado sedan. This car’s dimensions are 4770/1840/1470 mm with a wheelbase of 2,765 mm. The exterior highlights are traditional door handles, a frameless grille, and elongated headlights. The 520’s interior adopts a 10.25-inch screen, a thin LCD instrument panel, and a gear shifter behind the wheel. This vehicle also offers a heated and ventilated driver’s seat, four speakers, and a 360-degree camera system.

The Oshan 520 has an electric motor for 105 kW (141 hp) in the front axle. It is powered by the CATL’s 25# LFP Choco-SEB with a capacity of 56 kWh. This model can drive up to 515 km under CLTC conditions. The Changan Oshan 520 became the first car with the Choco-SEB battery technology. Later, other models will join this project, including the GAC Aion S and the Hongqi E-QM5.