Fact Check: "Over 100,000 battery-swapping trucks operate on Chinese roads."
What We Know
The claim that "over 100,000 battery-swapping trucks operate on Chinese roads" suggests a significant presence of battery-swapping technology in the heavy-duty truck sector in China. However, current data indicates that while the market for electric heavy-duty trucks is growing, the number of battery-swapping trucks is not as high as claimed. According to a report by CATL, a leading battery manufacturer, the heavy-duty truck sector is expected to see a penetration rate of electric vehicles reaching 50% within three years, but as of early 2025, the total sales of new energy heavy trucks, which includes battery-swapping models, reached only 82,000 units, with battery-swapping models accounting for approximately 32.39% of that total (source-4). This translates to around 26,500 battery-swapping trucks, far below the claimed figure of 100,000.
Analysis
The claim appears to be an overestimation based on the current market data. While CATL and other sources highlight the rapid growth of battery-swapping technology and the electrification of heavy-duty trucks, the actual number of operational battery-swapping trucks does not support the assertion of exceeding 100,000 units. The data from CATL indicates that the total sales of new energy heavy trucks, which includes various types of electric trucks, reached 82,000 units in early 2025, with battery-swapping models making up about 26,500 of those (source-4).
Furthermore, the plan to build 300 battery swap stations by the end of 2025 suggests that the infrastructure is still in development, which further implies that the number of operational battery-swapping trucks is not yet at the level claimed (source-2).
The sources used for this analysis are credible, with CATL being a major player in the battery manufacturing industry and the data coming from official reports and reputable news outlets. However, it is important to note that projections for future growth in the sector are optimistic, and while the market is expanding, the current figures do not support the claim.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that "over 100,000 battery-swapping trucks operate on Chinese roads" is false. Current data indicates that there are approximately 26,500 battery-swapping trucks in operation as of early 2025, significantly lower than the claimed figure. The heavy-duty truck market is indeed growing, but it has not yet reached the scale suggested by the claim.
