Chinese battery giant CATL and UK-based energy firm Octopus Energy have announced a joint initiative to construct more than 30 battery-swap stations across Europe by 2035.
The infrastructure project focuses on heavy-duty logistics, introducing a model where electric trucks exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in minutes, rather than waiting for slow charging cycles.
The partners argue that this swap-based approach can significantly reduce the total cost of ownership for electric trucks, potentially making them cheaper to operate than diesel equivalents.
By eliminating downtime associated with charging, the model aims to address one of the primary barriers to electrifying long-haul freight: range anxiety and operational efficiency.
This development arrives as the logistics sector accelerates its transition away from fossil fuels.
Amazon recently expanded its internal trucking network to external clients, signaling a broader shift in third-party logistics capabilities.