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The world’s leading EV battery maker wants to make gas stations a thing of the past. On Wednesday, CATL revealed ambitious plans to expand its EV battery swap network with ten new models. By swapping batteries, EV drivers can get a fully charged pack within two minutes. That’s even quicker than filling up your gas tank.

With a commanding lead over the global EV battery market, CATL now has a new target as it looks to phase out gas-powered vehicles.

CATL announced plans to roll out 1,000 EV battery swap stations across China next year as electric models continue to gain market share. The initiative is designed to accelerate EV adoption by making it easier and more convenient to drive an electric car.

“As the market leader, we will join hands with our partners to create a sound ecosystem to achieve innovative breakthroughs,” CATL’s founder and chairman, Robin Zeng, said during a press briefing on Wednesday (via The South China Morning Post).

The battery giant said its new stations would enable EV drivers to swap batteries within 100 seconds. At that, you can gain a full charge faster than it would take to fill a gas tank.

CATL has been in the market since 2022 after launching EVOGO, its battery swap brand. However, initial plans called for smaller packs with the option of using more than one.

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CATL signs strategic agreement with CITI Financial Leasing to develop “Chocolate Battery Swap” ecosystem (Source: CATL)

CATL updates plans to expand EV battery swap stations

With its new “Chocolate” SEB batteries, CATL is making it even easier. The new battery packs are a single unit designed for passenger car use. Zeng said “the most important thing” is the standardization of battery size. It has already secured over 107,500 orders for its Choco-SEB batteries from more than 30 companies.

Like different gasoline grades, CATL offers two new Choco-SEB batteries. The #20 pack is designed for A0 cars (small and hatchback models), while the #25 is built for larger A or B-class vehicles.

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CATL founder and chairman Robin Zeng reveals new EV battery swap plans (Source: CATL)

Both packs will be available in LFP-based or NMC chemistry options. With a capacity of up to 42 kWh, CATL’s #20 LFP pack provides a CLTC driving range of up to 400 km (248 miles). Meanwhile, the #20 NMC battery pack, with a capacity of up to 52 kWh, can provide a range of up to 500 km (310 miles).

The #25 LFP pack, with a 56 kWh capacity, can travel up to 500 km (310 miles), while the NMC option, with a 70 kWh capacity, provides a range of up to 600 km (373 miles).

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CATL’s new EV experience center (Source: CATL)

Pricing starts at 369 yuan, or about $51 per month (#20 LFP pack) for up to 3,000 km (1,864 miles). You can also opt for unlimited mileage for 469 yuan ($64).

The global battery leader revealed ten new EVs jointly developed with its partners that will use the new battery swap tech. These include several highly anticipated models like the GAC AION S, Wuling Bingo and Starlight, as well as SAIC’s Rising F7, Maxus Mifa 9, and Maxus Dana.

CATL plans to build at least 30,000 EV battery swap stations in the future. The first 1,000 will be built by CATL, and the following 10,000 will be developed jointly with its partners.

Several other companies in China, including NIO, are rapidly expanding EV battery swap stations across China. According to CnEVPost, NIO’s swap network now covers 18 of China’s busiest highways with 913 stations.

Source: SCMP, CATL

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Coterra shifts its view on oil, again. Here are our 3 takeaways as investors in the stock

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Coterra shifts its view on oil, again. Here are our 3 takeaways as investors in the stock

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Solid-state EV batteries with +1,800 miles range? It sounds too good to be true

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Solid-state EV batteries with +1,800 miles range? It sounds too good to be true

Another company claims to have solid-state EV batteries in the works that will unlock well over 1,000 miles (3,000 km) of range and fast charging in just five minutes. And it’s not BYD this time. Is it too good to be true?

Can solid-state EV batteries unlock +1,000 miles range?

Last week, a local report surfaced, claiming BYD was already testing solid-state batteries in its Tesla Model 3-rivalling Seal sedan.

BYD addressed the rumors in a statement released on Monday (via CLS), saying, “Currently it is unknown, and the first model and parameters are not officially reported.”

In a new patent, discovered by CarNewsChina, Chinese tech giant Huawei filed for a sulfide-based all-solid-state battery. The new battery reportedly unlocks a driving range of up to 3,000 km, or over 1,800 miles, and supports ultra-fast charging in just five minutes.

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Is it really possible, though? To put that into perspective, the current longest-range electric vehicle you can buy, the 2025 Lucid Air Grand Touring, is rated with a WLTP driving range of up to 839 km (521 miles).

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Lucid Air electric sedan (Source: Lucid)

On the EPA scale, Lucid’s electric sedan is rated for a driving range of up to 512 miles and features fast charging (up to 200 miles) in 12 minutes.

That would mean Huawei’s new battery would unlock over three times the driving range while cutting charging times by over half. It would also have energy density that’s two to three times higher, between 400 and 500 kWh.

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BMW i7 equipped with all-solid-state EV battery cells from Solid Power (Source: BMW Group)

According to industry experts in Korea, the claims might be too good to be true. Yang Min-ho, professor of energy engineering at Dankook University, explained that “Even the most advanced lithium-ion batteries, which generally have higher capacity than solid-state prototypes, fall far short of that kind of range.”

Yang said that “Such performance might be possible in lab conditions,” adding “but real-world factors like energy loss and thermal management make mass production extremely difficult.”

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Mercedes EQS modified with a solid-state battery (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

The patent describes a new approach, doping sulfide electrolytes with nitrogen, to improve stability. According to a researcher for one of Korea’s major battery makers, the nitrogen doping approach is “a standard technique with limited scalability.”

“While nitrogen doping can help with interface stability, it’s usually done under vacuum and with great precision,” the researcher pointed out, adding “It’s not something you can scale for commercial production without major cost and time penalties.” They described it as “like trying to sprinkle pepper on a sandwich using tweezers.”

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BYD Seal test drive in Mexico (Source: BYD)

Although it sounds promising, Huawei’s patent needs additional third-party validation or other data to suggest it’s production-ready. “That’s the nature of patents. They grant rights, not credibility.”

According to the researcher, Korean battery giants, LG Energy, Samsung SDI, and SK On, don’t seem too worried. “We monitor developments in China closely, but this doesn’t look like a game-changer yet,” they said.

Samsung SDI has already sent solid-state battery samples to clients and aims to begin mass production by 2027: LG Energy and SK On both plan to introduce solid-state battery tech by 2030.

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(Source: Stellantis)

Are solid-state EV batteries capable of delivering ultra-long driving range as promised? It may, but it could be a few years before it hits the market. As Yang said, “Battery science doesn’t move in leaps. It moves in increments, and those increments take years to scale.”

Meanwhile, several automakers and others are also advancing solid-state EV batteries, promising longer driving range and faster charging.

Mercedes-Benz announced it had tested “the first car powered by a lithium-metal solid-state battery on the road” with Factorial Energy earlier this year using a modified EQS. Last month, BMW completed its first on-road tests using Solid Power’s all-solid-state battery (ASSB) cells. CATL, Stellantis, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Nissan have also announced plans to launch EVs with solid-state batteries in the next few years.

Will the “holy grail” of EV batteries live up to its hype? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: The Korea Herald

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HappyRun G300 Pro review: It’s an electric motorcycle with pedals and I’ve got some thoughts

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HappyRun G300 Pro review: It's an electric motorcycle with pedals and I've got some thoughts

The HappyRun G300 Pro is the epitome of an out-of-class electric bike. That is to say, it has many of the components of an electric bicycle, key among them the functional pedals, but its extremely high power and speed place it well outside the limits of traditional e-bike classifications. The result? Basically, an electric motorcycle with pedals. And I’ve got some thoughts about that.

But before I dive into those, this is one of those rides that you’ll want to see in action. Check out my review video below. Then keep reading for the full details.

HappyRun G300 Pro Video Review

HappyRun G300 Pro Tech Specs

  • Motor: 3,000W continuous and 6,500W peak-rated rear hub motor
  • Top speed: Up to 50 mph (80 km/h)
  • Range: Claimed up to 70 miles (121 km)
  • Battery: 72V 30Ah (2,160 Wh)
  • Weight: Heavy (well off the scale on my 100 lb scale)
  • Brakes: Quad-piston DYISLAND hydraulic disc brakes
  • Front suspension: inverted front fork
  • Rear suspension: “Yopi Box” rear spring suspension
  • Extras: Looks like a Sur Ron or Talaria-style bike, color LED display, included fenders, LED headlight and tail light with turn signals, very nice kickstand, two color options available.

What is this even for?

Despite looking like a bicycle in some regards, I definitely felt wrong using this in the bike lane. That meant for 95% of my road riding, I was simply in the lane like a motorbike. The only times I would use the bike lane were when I could see it was completely empty, and it was basically just a shortcut past the stopped traffic at red lights. And even then, it just didn’t sit right with me. I’m an e-biker and I live a car free life, so the safety of bike lanes is an important issue for me. I’m not going to jeopardize other riders or even make them feel unsafe in the tiny little sliver of asphalt that is supposed to feel like home for us, and so I ride this thing in the road when I’m on the road.

That being said, I don’t even think the road is the right place for this bike. Where it really shines is off-road. Between the long travel suspension, the enduro-style seat, and the unnecessarily high power for commuting purposes, the HappyRun G300 Pro is at home in the dirt and on the trails. In fact, I even enjoyed overlanding on it, going places where trails couldn’t take me. It felt like a great exploring-the-outdoors type of ride!

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If you watch my video above, you’ll see that this type of riding, recreational and exploring, is where the HappyRun G300 Pro really came into its own, and I think that’s precisely where it belongs. Just like how Sur Rons and Talarias shouldn’t really be taking over the streets, but instead should stick to the dirt trails they excel at, this is a great bike for that purpose. You’ll also notice in the video that I prefer to wear my motorcycle gear when I ride these types of bikes, and I’d make that recommendation to anyone else. A t-shirt and a bike helmet just don’t feel like enough here.

With that in mind, the included bicycle pedals start to seem superfluous though, and I really only pedaled at slow speeds, or when ghost pedaling because a cop was in the area and I didn’t want to get a bike impounded before I was even done reviewing it. So if you ask me, it doesn’t really need the pedals, and it doesn’t even really need the roads.

What about the build?

The HappyRun G300 Pro is an interesting mix of quality parts and merely acceptable parts. Nothing about it seemed terrible or dangerous, and a few components like the Sur Ron kickstand actually impressed me. But then the use of a bicycle-level handlebar stem and budget-level shocks seems to undercut that message.

On the other hand, the massive 72V 30Ah battery is huge and likely more than most people would need. I’d have preferred to see it being UL-listed, but I guess at least it claims to be underwritten by some Chinese insurance agency. I guess that’s better than nothing?

The geometry actually kind of sticks the landing, at least for me and my 170 cm (5’7″) height. The saddle is plenty comfortable, though my off-roading had me out of the saddle much of the time anyway and letting my legs join the full-suspension to better absorb the terrain.

What’s my verdict?

Here’s the thing: nothing about this bike is top shelf, but it still offers an incredibly fun, solid feeling ride. The power is more than most people need, the speed is faster than most people should ride (especially on trails), and the battery has more capacity than most people would require. So it’s not like they’re cutting corners on performance.

Some components could have been beefed up, and the decision to lean more towards bicycle-level components does make me question what a few years of hard off-road riding could do to this bike. But when used correctly, in an area where the bike is meant to be used (i.e., not where it legally isn’t allowed to be ridden), then it seems to fulfill the role of a fun adventure-style bike. At a price of $2,599 (or $100 off with the code ELECTREK), it significantly undercuts the cost of a Sur Ron or Talaria bike while giving a similar type of ride, even if the components don’t live up to the level of those costlier light electric dirt bikes.

My biggest worry, though, isn’t about the bike, but rather the potential for it to be misused. Look, it’s a fun ride and offered me more performance than I needed for all the different types of riding I tested it with. But like any bike, it has to be used in its element. We don’t blame the hammer if someone hits their thumb while driving a nail, and we shouldn’t blame the bike if someone wraps it around a parking meter. But it also really shouldn’t be used in that kind of environment, and it definitely shouldn’t be used in a way that could put others at risk.

It’s a fun ride for exploring, but this level of power requires some serious personal responsibility. If you’re a parent wondering if you should get this for your 16-year-old, the answer is probably “No.” But if you’ve got a fully developed prefrontal cortex and you want a fast and powerful ride without breaking the bank, this might be a decent option.

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