Arcfox launches two battery-swappable EVs in China, starting at $7,800

Instead of buying the battery with the car, Arcfox customers can lease it separately and use CATL's swapping network.ARCFOXKey TakeawaysBAIC's Arcfox has launched two battery-swappable EVs in China, with the Beta T1 starting at 52,000 yuan ($7,800) under a battery-leasing arrangement.Both models use CATL's Chocolate battery-swapping network, which can replace a depleted battery pack in approximately 99 seconds.The launch supports CATL and BAIC's wider effort to expand shared battery-swapping infrastructure and bring compatible electric vehicles to more buyers. Chinese automaker BAIC’s electric vehicle brand Arcfox has launched two new battery-swappable models in China, expanding the technology into a more affordable segment of the market. The Beta S3 535 Ultra+ LiDAR Swappable Edition and Beta T1 Swappable Edition both use CATL’s Chocolate battery-swapping network, with prices starting at 52,000 yuan ($7,800) under a battery-leasing arrangement. The launch builds on a partnership between BAIC and CATL to develop a shared battery-swapping ecosystem. Both cars can swap depleted battery packs in about 99 seconds, allowing drivers to resume their journeys without waiting for conventional charging. Beta S3 gets LiDAR and 535-km range According to Car News China, the Beta S3 535 Ultra+ is a front-wheel-drive electric sedan powered by a permanent-magnet synchronous motor producing 159 kW (213 hp) and 250 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.1 seconds and has a top speed of 165 km/h (103 mph). Its battery delivers a claimed range of 535 km (332 miles) under China’s CLTC testing cycle. The vehicle also supports conventional fast charging. The new edition’s main technology highlight is its driver-assistance system. It combines a 192-line LiDAR sensor with Horizon Robotics’ Journey J6M computing chip to support highway and urban navigation assistance, as well as automated parking. Inside, the sedan features a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8155 cockpit processor. Its starting price is 78,800 yuan ($11,800) with battery leasing. Beta T1 brings swapping to a lower price The smaller Beta T1 targets buyers looking for a more affordable electric car. It measures 4,337 mm (170.7 in) long, 1,860 mm (73.2 in) wide, and 1,572 mm (61.9 in) tall, with a 2,770-mm (109.1 in) wheelbase. Its electric motor produces 95 kW (127 hp), while its CATL-manufactured lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery supports the swapping system. The car has a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph), although Arcfox has not disclosed the range of this new edition. The T1 starts at 52,000 yuan ($7,800), with a higher trim priced at 60,000 yuan ($9,000), both under battery-leasing plans. CATL expands its battery-swapping network The two launches are part of CATL’s wider effort to make battery swapping available across multiple vehicle brands. BAIC, CATL, and service partner CAES signed a cooperation agreement in April 2026 covering compatible vehicle development and battery-swapping infrastructure. CATL reported that its Chocolate network had more than 1,470 stations across 99 Chinese cities at the time, with a target of exceeding 3,000 stations by the end of 2026. In October, BAIC and CATL also announced a broader partnership targeting one million battery-swapping vehicles. Under battery leasing, customers purchase the car without owning its battery outright, paying a recurring fee to use a pack maintained within the swapping network. For the new Arcfox models, monthly plans start at 399 yuan ($60) for a 5,000-km (about 6,200 miles) allowance, while unlimited monthly mileage costs 599 yuan ($90). Arcfox is also offering buyers 10,000 km (about 3,100 miles) of free battery-swapping mileage through 20 vouchers. The promotion applies to Beta S3 swapping-edition purchases made by January 31, 2027, and to Beta T1 customers. The challenge for the technology will be expanding station availability. A battery exchange that takes just 99 seconds is useful only when compatible infrastructure is accessible. By bringing more affordable vehicles into the same network, BAIC and CATL are betting that shared infrastructure can make battery swapping a more practical alternative to conventional EV charging.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Kaif Shaikh is a journalist and writer passionate about turning complex information into clear, impactful stories. His writing covers technology, sustainability, geopolitics, and occasionally fiction. A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, his work has appeared in the Times of India and beyond. After a near-fatal experience, Kaif began seeing both stories and silences differently. Outside work, he juggles far too many projects and passions, but always makes time to read, reflect, and hold onto the thread of wonder.