Octopus Energy and CATL have joined forces to transform electric trucking across Europe with their new joint venture, Swaptopus. This groundbreaking initiative aims to deploy ultra-fast battery swapping technology, enabling electric trucks to replace depleted batteries in minutes rather than hours, drastically reducing downtime and accelerating the shift to clean freight.
The first UK battery swapping hubs are expected to launch by 2027, with plans to expand to over 30 mega hubs across Europe by 2035. These hubs will be capable of servicing thousands of trucks each day, creating a comprehensive network that removes one of the biggest barriers to decarbonizing heavy transport: long charging times.
The partnership envisions supporting more than 300,000 electric trucks and unlocking over £30 billion in private investment once the network is fully operational.
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Greg Jackson, CEO and Founder of Octopus Energy Group, explained, “Electric trucks already surpass diesel on running costs, but the key challenge has been keeping them moving. Battery swapping changes that dynamic—trucks can be back on the road in minutes, not hours. By combining Octopus’s expertise in software and energy with CATL’s leading battery technology, we’re making large-scale clean freight practical across Europe.”
Dr. Robin Zeng, Chairman and CEO of CATL, added, “Battery swapping is a vital component of the future of commercial transport. Having proven this technology extensively in China, we’re excited to bring it to the UK and Europe alongside Octopus. Our combined strengths in battery technology, energy storage, and AI-driven energy management will accelerate the electrification of road transport throughout the region.”
William Rowe, CEO and Founder of Swaptopus, emphasized the broader impact: “We see the future of land transport as electric and autonomous, with battery swapping playing a critical role. This technology not only cuts downtime but also allows batteries at swapping stations to function as virtual power plants, charging and discharging in response to grid demands, which ultimately lowers costs for consumers.”