Europe’s truck charging problem may disappear as Octopus and CATL plan a giant battery swapping network | Daily Reports Online
- 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.
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.
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.
“By combining Octopus’s software and energy expertise with CATL’s world-class battery technology, we’re 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.
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 Octopus’s 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.”
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