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Electric trucks to use Chinese technology for swapping batteries ‘in minutes’, Octopus says<br>Swaptopus plans its first UK hubs for 2027, using technology already fitted to heavy truck models in China and with two swap-ready DeepWay lorries now being tested in Germany
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Octopus and battery maker CATL are introducing the Swaptopus battery swap station for trucks (Octopus)
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Electric lorries could soon be swapping flat batteries for charged ones in minutes under ambitious plans from Octopus Energy and Chinese battery giant CATL – a move that could give Chinese truck makers an early advantage in Europe.<br>The two companies have formed a new venture called Swaptopus, which plans to open its first UK battery-swapping hubs in 2027. More than 30 large sites are planned across Europe by 2035, with the companies saying the network could eventually support more than 300,000 electric trucks.<br>The idea is simple enough. Rather than an electric lorry plugging in for a lengthy charge, it would pull into a hub, have its depleted battery removed and leave with a fully charged replacement. For operators running tight delivery schedules, that could make electric freight far easier to plan around.<br>open image in gallery
British energy giant Octopus is working with Chinese battery firm CATL to bring battery-swap hubs for trucks in Europe (Octopus)<br>It is not just a concept, either. CATL already has its Qiji battery-swapping system working in China, where it has partnered with truck makers on swap-ready vehicles. That could prove significant for Europe, where the technology could give Chinese HGV brands a head start while established European rivals adapt their own trucks.
A CATL spokesperson told The Independent: “For the pilot, we will work with Chinese OEMs as they already have the trucks ready, they just need to finish up the homologation parts so the end of 2027 will be feasible.<br>“We are speaking with all European OEMs already including DAF, Iveco and Volvo Truck. It will take them some time to adjust the chassis.
“Two Deepway trucks have already arrived in Europe for road testing this month in Hamburg, Germany”<br>Recommended<br>Best electric cars 2026: The top 13 EVs on the market<br>This clever AI tool could help used car buyers avoid hidden ownership costs<br>New seven-seat Kia PV5 Passenger arrives alongside updated electric van range<br>Honda Super-N review: the £19k baby EV that thinks it’s a racing car
The DeepWay lorries are among Chinese models designed around CATL’s swappable battery system, rather than simply using batteries fixed into the chassis. It means they could potentially be among the first vehicles ready to use the new British network once the necessary approvals are in place.<br>Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, Scania, MAN and Renault Trucks are all expanding their electric lorry line-ups in Europe, but their current models are built around fixed batteries and charging networks. They cannot simply drive into a Swaptopus site and have their existing packs exchanged without significant re-engineering.
That could create an interesting shift in the truck market. European manufacturers have long dominated the big-lorry business in Britain and across the continent, but Chinese brands with existing CATL-compatible vehicles could be ready to make use of the new infrastructure sooner.<br>Greg Jackson, CEO and Founder of Octopus Energy Group, said: “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.
“By combining Octopus’s software and energy expertise with CATL’s world-class battery...