Arcfox S3 battery swap edition appears in filing, expected to be co-developed with CATL

• Earlier this month, Arcfox announced that the battery swap edition of its next-generation pure electric family sedan is about to make its debut.
• The new model will integrate into CATL's Choco swap network, providing consumers with an ultra-fast 99-second energy replenishment travel experience.

The specifications of the BAIC Arcfox S3 battery swap pure electric sedan have appeared for the first time in a newly released regulatory catalog by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

Featuring an upgraded 159 kW motor, the all-new model is widely expected to join CATL's continuously expanding Choco-SEB network ecosystem.

On March 13, the MIIT released the latest batch of vehicle catalogs pending sales approval for public comment. The battery swap-supported version of the Arcfox S3 is included, marking the brand's first model to support battery swapping.

The public can submit feedback between March 14 and 19. Entering this catalog is the final major regulatory procedure before a vehicle model is approved for sale in China.

The disclosure marks a crucial latest step for BAIC in the battery swap ecosystem.

The 5-seater pure electric sedan measures 4,916 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 1,480 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,876 mm. The vehicle has a curb weight of 1,620 kg and a top speed of 165 km/h.

In terms of core powertrain configuration, the declared EV is equipped with an electric motor delivering a peak power of 159 kW. Compared to the regular pure electric Arcfox S3 that previously completed its regulatory filing, the battery swap edition achieves a power increase of 9 kW.

Its battery supplier is a joint venture between CATL and SAIC Motor.

The filing of the Arcfox S3 battery swap edition is a substantive result of the deepening cooperation between BAIC and CATL. As early as June 2024, CATL signed an agreement with BAIC regarding the development of skateboard chassis and battery swap models.

Earlier this month, Arcfox announced that the battery swap edition of its new-generation, spacious pure electric family sedan is about to be unveiled.

The new model will plug into CATL's Choco swap network, promising consumers an ultra-fast 99-second energy replenishment travel experience, Arcfox said.

With the continuous increase in cooperative models, CATL is significantly accelerating the nationwide construction of its battery swap infrastructure.

By the end of 2025, the company had built 1,020 Choco swap stations in just one year, with its service network covering 45 key cities across China.

The company's long-term goal is to build 30,000 swap stations and plans to open a franchise model, while also expecting to deploy high-performance sodium-ion batteries on a large scale starting in 2026.