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TÜV Association: Majority Open to Exchangeable Battery Systems - Numerous Advantages
The majority of German citizens (63 percent) believe that interchangeable batteries are better or much better suited than permanently installed batteries. Only one in five (19 percent) finds the technology worse or much worse. 18 percent answer with "don't know". This was the result of a representative Ipsos survey commissioned by the TÜV association among 2,500 people aged 16 and over. In Europe, permanently installed drive batteries in electric cars are considered standard. However, there is an alternative concept with interchangeable batteries, which is especially widespread in China and offers some advantages.
"Interchangeable batteries in electric cars can be replaced within a few minutes. This means long charging times would no longer be an issue," says Robin Zalwert, consultant for sustainable mobility at the TÜV association. "This is another technology in the innovation race of electric car manufacturers. Whether the concept of the interchangeable battery will catch on is still undecided at this point in time."
Battery-Swap Technology: Tested, but Cumbersome in Germany
Battery swap systems are widespread, especially in China. The Chinese electric car manufacturer NIO alone has already set up around 2,200 swap stations there and currently operates 14 stations in Germany as well. In China, providers such as Aulton Dianba, car manufacturer BYD, or battery manufacturer CATL are also active with their own swap stations. In Europe, the Stellantis group is cooperating with the US provider Ample to help the technology break through in Europe as well.
"Battery swap systems have already been extensively tested," says Zalwert.
However, major European and US car manufacturers are still predominantly focusing on permanently installed power storage systems. But swap systems could be interesting, especially for operators of larger vehicle fleets, to reduce vehicle downtime. For instance, the Federal Ministry of Economics supported the research project "eHaul," which is now being continued as a spin-off and deals with the development and implementation of a battery swap concept for long-distance transport with 40t e-trucks and energy services in the power grid.
Gentle Charging Extends the Lifespan of Power Storage Systems
Besides the speed of battery swapping compared to conventional charging, the model offers further advantages. "A major advantage of the swap model is that the batteries can be charged very gently at low voltage in the stations," says Zalwert.
"This has a strong impact on battery health and increases the longevity of the batteries."
Battery condition checked when changing
In addition, a deep analysis of the condition of the battery is carried out with each battery change. This increases the safety of the vehicle battery system for customers. Exchange systems also offer economic advantages. Since the battery is not a fixed part of the car, vehicle owners buy the vehicles without a battery, which usually reduces the purchase price by 20 percent. The batteries are then usually offered in a leasing model.
Most expensive component in an electric car
As the most expensive component in an electric vehicle, the condition of the battery plays a crucial role in the used car market. "The resale value of electric cars is often measured by the remaining battery health - also known as State of Health or SoH. Consumers benefit from the decoupling of battery and car in the secondary market, as a used car without a battery is much easier to evaluate," explains Zalwert. The TÜV association calls for the strengthening of the market for used electric cars. Uniform standards for determining the battery condition are necessary for this.
"So far, there are no uniform measures for evaluating the State of Health," says Zalwert.
The topic of battery health is a focal point of the current "TÜV-Report 2025", which for the first time features ten electric vehicles. "The market for used electric vehicles is picking up speed," says Zalwert. "Evaluating battery health and alternative concepts like battery swap systems can further boost the market for new and used electric cars."
Norms and standards create comfort
The biggest obstacle on the way to swap systems is uniform norms and standards. "Standardized battery swap systems across manufacturers do not yet exist. This would massively reduce the costs of building a comprehensive infrastructure," says Zalwert. Providers also advertise that the latest battery technology is always available for exchange in swap systems. This probably leads to greater safety, performance, and range.
From a sustainability perspective, it is important to ensure that the expected minimum requirements for the lifespan with the EURO 7 emission standard are met, even with swap batteries. Also, with swap batteries, the further use of the battery in another application area must be considered from the outset. Operators of business models that go beyond the use of the battery in a vehicle also emphasize the advantages of swap batteries. These can be more easily transferred to a secondary application and are easier to recycle at the end of their life.
Technology and system race remains open
Whether battery swap systems will establish themselves outside of China is currently uncertain. "The ranges of electric vehicles are increasing and the charging infrastructure is constantly being expanded," says Zalwert. "Depending on the battery and manufacturer, charging the batteries from 10 to 80 percent is often already possible in less than 30 minutes today." In addition, there is the vision of the solid-state battery, which promises higher energy density, more range, and shorter charging times.
The TÜV companies are actively accompanying and shaping the development of electromobility with safety-relevant tests. TÜV companies are already committed to safety at battery swap stations and support projects for building a safe infrastructure.
Translated automatically from German.
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