According to a June 22, 2026, report by the UK's Financial Times, CATL and UK energy company Octopus Energy unveiled plans to form a joint venture aimed at constructing a comprehensive battery swap network for heavy-duty trucks throughout Europe. Leveraging CATL's cutting-edge Qiji battery swap technology, the initiative is set to significantly boost energy replenishment efficiency for heavy-duty trucks and accelerate the electrification of road freight operations.

As outlined in the plan, the two partners will establish the first batch of demonstration battery swap stations in the UK by 2027. These stations will initially focus on major highway corridors and key logistics hubs. By 2035, the network is projected to expand to over 30 stations, with operations extending into Scotland and Wales, ultimately forming a battery swap network that spans core routes across the entire UK. Additionally, the two sides intend to integrate battery swap stations into large distribution centers, thereby broadening the scope to include urban delivery scenarios.

Greg Jackson, founder of Octopus Energy, emphasized that with the adoption of battery swap technology, the operating costs of electric trucks have already dipped below those of diesel trucks, with further cost reductions anticipated in the future. Oscar Luo, head of overseas investment at CATL, pointed out that compared to ultra-fast charging, the battery swap model not only reduces the usage costs of electric trucks but also extends battery lifespan and facilitates battery recycling.