A new energy milestone has been reached in southwest China. Yunnan Province has launched its first mobile charging and battery swapping station for electric heavy-duty trucks—bringing a flexible, high-efficiency power solution to the heart of its coal transport routes.
Source: Yunnan Net
A new energy milestone has been reached in southwest China. Yunnan Province has launched its first mobile charging and battery swapping station for electric heavy-duty trucks—bringing a flexible, high-efficiency power solution to the heart of its coal transport routes.
Located in the Xiaolongtan mining area of Kaiyuan City, the station is already proving its value to truck drivers like Mr. Li, who hauls coal daily between the Xiaolongtan mine and Honghe Power Plant. “I can swap a battery in just five minutes—it’s even faster than refueling,” said Mr. Li. “And the cost per kilometer is less than one yuan.”
Developed by China Southern Power Grid’s Yunnan EV subsidiary, the station combines centralized charging with mobile battery-swapping units. Unlike traditional fixed stations, this model requires no large-scale grid upgrades or permanent facilities—cutting land use by 60% and infrastructure costs by 45%. That makes it ideal for remote mining regions with weak power access and challenging terrain.
The mobile units act as roving energy depots, delivering fully charged batteries wherever needed. Currently, the station supports 36 trucks per day, enabling the transport of 1,500 tonnes of coal. It is projected to replace 1.8 million liters of diesel annually, reducing CO₂ emissions by 4,600 tonnes. Efficiency gains are notable: average daily truck trips have increased from four to six, boosting annual income by an estimated RMB 30,000 per vehicle.
On the backend, a cloud-based battery management system monitors battery health in real time and uses AI to optimize charge cycles—extending battery lifespan by over 20%. The swap vehicles are equipped with BeiDou GPS and intelligent dispatch systems, allowing them to dynamically calculate the most efficient energy delivery routes.
To expand adoption, the company is developing standardized battery modules adaptable to different mine environments—laying the groundwork for wider deployment across Yunnan’s mineral transport corridors.
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