Aiva in talks with CATL to join battery swap network for 2026 ME7 debut

• Aiva is discussing a battery swap solution with CATL, with its first production model, the ME7, set to debut by the end of 2026.
• CATL owns about 9.89% of Saidou Technology, the owner of the Aiva brand.

Saidou Technology, backed by Seres (HKEX: 9927), is exploring connecting its Aiva brand to the battery swap system of CATL (HKEX: 3750) in a move that could give its first production model access to an established public energy-replenishment network.

Aiva is discussing battery swap cooperation with CATL, with the specific plan still being worked out, LatePost reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The report did not say when the parties might finalize the cooperation or disclose the battery specifications that would be used in the Aiva ME7, the brand's first production model.

The Aiva ME7 is scheduled to debut by the end of 2026, with pre-orders set to begin in early 2027. It will eventually be sold in China and overseas markets, according to LatePost.

Saidou's first flagship store, located in a commercial district in Chongqing, is under construction as the new brand prepares to launch retail operations.

For a new automotive brand, tapping an existing public battery swap network could reduce the capital required to build its own energy-replenishment infrastructure and accelerate its early market reach.

Battery leasing could also separate the battery cost from the vehicle price, lowering consumers' upfront purchase costs and giving the brand greater pricing flexibility.

Saidou unveiled the Aiva brand on June 9, saying its lineup would mainly target the mainstream auto market priced above 200,000 yuan ($29,480).

At that price point, selling the vehicle and battery separately could help Aiva lower the upfront transaction price without changing its intended market positioning.

Saidou, the operating entity behind Aiva, was formerly known as Landian Technology, a Seres subsidiary. It completed a capital increase and ownership restructuring earlier this year.

Shaci Zhiyuan, backed by Chongqing state-owned capital, is its largest shareholder with a stake of about 34.5%. Seres ranks second with about 32.96%, while CATL owns about 9.89% through an investment platform.

Seres mainly provides Aiva with vehicle manufacturing, supply-chain, quality-control and engineering support. The Aiva ME7 is expected to be produced at Seres' Phoenix plant.

CATL provides battery technology, safety, charging and swapping support. The existing industrial ties among the shareholders lay the groundwork for Aiva to adopt CATL's battery swap solution.

Meanwhile, CATL is actively expanding its battery swap infrastructure.

As of June 30, CATL had built 2,000 Choco swap stations in China, covering 31 provinces and 180 cities, according to figures previously released by the company.

CATL has maintained its target of operating more than 3,000 Choco swap stations by the end of 2026 and plans to expand cross-brand access through standardized battery specifications.

CATL initially offered 2 standardized battery packs for different classes of passenger vehicles: 20# and 25#.

The company rolled out the 26# swap battery for larger vehicles on April 21. The battery uses an 800-volt high-voltage architecture, with the initial version offering a capacity of 75 kWh and supporting vehicles in the B to C segments.

CATL has announced plans to build a shared ultrafast-charging and battery swap network with Seres, Changan Automobile (SZSE: 000625), Chery (HKEX: 9973), GAC Group (HKEX: 2238), SAIC-GM-Wuling and BAIC.

Brands including GAC Aion, Changan and Arcfox have already launched models using CATL's battery swap technology, indicating that the ecosystem is attracting more automakers.