A new modification of the GAC Aion RT electric sedan has appeared in the MIIT regulatory documents, now with the possibility of quick battery replacement. All key characteristics are preserved: the car is equipped with a 150 kW (201 hp) electric motor and fully replicates the specifications of the version presented in September.
The appearance of a replaceable battery is associated with CATL's "Chocolate" initiative, which should standardize battery swap technology among the largest automakers. Ten models have already received such versions, including the Aion RT and Chery iCar V23. Thanks to the battery subscription, the Aion RT version with a replaceable module may become cheaper than the base version by approximately $7,000.
The sedan stands out with its aerodynamic body with a drag coefficient of 0.208 Cd and dimensions of 4865×1875×1520 mm with a wheelbase of 2775 mm. The standard version is available with 55.1 or 68.1 kWh batteries, providing 520 or 650 km of range. Energy consumption is 11.7–11.9 kWh per 100 km. The car supports 400 V fast charging and is equipped with a 126-channel lidar with an Nvidia Orin-X chip for advanced autonomous driving functions.
CATL is actively developing the Choco-SEB station network: by October, the goal of 1,000 points across the country has almost been reached, and by spring all stations will be fully ready for operation. The network already covers two-thirds of Chinese cities, making it possible to find a station approximately 10 km from the driver. Expansion to 10–20 thousand stations is planned by 2030, and in the future to 30 thousand, which will make battery replacement as convenient as regular refueling.