A new battery-swapping network for electric trucks is set to be deployed across the United Kingdom and Europe under a partnership between energy company Octopus Energy and battery manufacturer CATL.
The joint venture, known as Swaptopus, plans to launch its first battery-swapping hubs in the UK next year before expanding to more than 30 locations across Europe by 2035. The companies say the network could eventually support more than 300,000 electric trucks.
Battery swapping is emerging as an alternative to conventional charging for commercial vehicles, allowing compatible trucks to exchange depleted battery packs for fully charged units in a matter of minutes rather than waiting for batteries to recharge.
Focus on reducing downtime
The Swaptopus network aims to address one of the key operational challenges facing electric freight operators: vehicle downtime during charging.
“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, Chief Executive Officer 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.”
The companies say the network could unlock more than £30 billion in private investment while supporting the broader electrification of freight transport.
Building on China’s battery-swapping experience
CATL has been investing heavily in battery-swapping technology and infrastructure in China, including partnerships with vehicle manufacturers and energy providers aimed at standardising battery-swapping systems.
The company launched a standardised swappable battery pack for heavy-duty electric trucks in 2025 and has established partnerships with a range of global automakers, including BMW, Hyundai, Honda, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.
“Battery swapping will be a significant part of the future of commercial transport,” said Dr Robin Zeng, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CATL.
“We have field-proven this technology in China, and we are delighted to bring it to the UK and Europe as part of our joint venture with Octopus.”
“Together, our expertise in battery swapping, B2G 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.”
Supporting freight electrification
The partners said battery swapping could help accelerate the transition away from diesel-powered freight vehicles by reducing operational barriers for fleet operators.
Unlike traditional charging infrastructure, battery-swapping stations allow trucks to return to service quickly, a factor considered particularly important for long-haul freight operations where vehicle utilisation is critical.
“Electric trucks already beat diesel on running costs, the challenge is keeping them moving,” said Greg Jackson, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Octopus Energy Group.
“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 technology, we’re making clean freight practical at scale across Europe.”
The announcement was made at Octopus Energy’s Energy Tech Summit and comes as European governments and industry continue investing in charging infrastructure, battery technologies, and alternative solutions aimed at accelerating the adoption of zero-emission commercial vehicles.
Did you find this article interesting? Click the ‘heart’ button above to give it a ‘like’!
