Breaking free from the constraints of charging stations, the first-ever “mobile charging mothership” demonstration project made its debut at the Pingqiao Service Area on the G2 Beijing-Shanghai Expressway during the recent May Day holiday.
Mr. Xu, a car owner, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “Charging in just half an hour means I no longer have to fight for charging spots at service areas!” This groundbreaking project can provide up to 3,600 kilowatt-hours of energy, capable of simultaneously serving eight vehicles and meeting the energy replenishment needs of over 200 new energy vehicles.
The project is supported by Jiangsu Electric Power Investment Easy Charging New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., based in Nanjing. The company has developed the innovative “Dianlala” battery pack system, which aims to offer efficient and convenient charging solutions for new energy vehicle owners, liberating them from the limitations of fixed charging stations and enabling flexible and effective energy replenishment.
On the morning of May 6, a reporter visited the charging station on Lingchuang Mufu East Road in Gulou District. The sight of a semi-trailer truck equipped with several large black battery packs, reminiscent of oversized computer towers, was striking. One of these packs was actively charging a new energy vehicle. “This is the battery pack from the ‘mobile charging mothership.’ Each pack has a capacity of 452 kilowatt-hours, and there are a total of eight packs on the truck, providing an overall capacity of about 3,600 kilowatt-hours,” explained Li Xin, Chairman of Jiangsu Electric Power Investment Easy Charging New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Each battery pack can charge one vehicle and supports ultra-fast charging at 120 kilowatts, which is twice as fast as conventional charging stations, allowing electric vehicles to travel 15 kilometers with just one minute of charging, significantly enhancing efficiency. This solution is not only convenient and quick but also eco-friendly.
During the May Day holiday, the energy for the “Dianlala” battery packs was sourced from a solar and storage charging station located 20 kilometers away from the Pingqiao Service Area. Initial calculations suggest that private vehicles could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an average of 39 kilograms per charging session. In the future, this project is expected to be expanded along the entire Beijing-Shanghai Expressway and in 176 other high-load service areas nationwide, allowing more new energy vehicle owners to enjoy the seamless experience of “charge on arrival.”
Remarkably, this “mothership” can not only operate effectively at highway service areas but can also be flexibly deployed to scenic spots, zero-carbon parks, and other locations, supporting heavy-duty trucks with battery swaps in just five minutes. Data shows that in 2024, sales of new energy heavy-duty trucks nationwide are expected to reach 82,000 units, marking a 140% year-on-year increase and accounting for 13.61% of the heavy-duty truck market.
“Unlike the booming market for new energy heavy-duty trucks, the construction costs of battery swap stations are substantial, often running into hundreds of thousands of yuan. Additionally, the implementation of projects is challenging due to complex approval processes, and the routes for heavy-duty trucks are often subject to change, making fixed stations inadequate for fluctuating transportation needs. Furthermore, communication and resource sharing among operational enterprises is limited,” Li Xin stated. The “Dianlala” mobile solution can be flexibly deployed, enabling quick battery swaps in just five minutes at a cost that is one-seventh of traditional battery swap stations. This approach offers high protection, operates around the clock, and employs a cloud platform for intelligent scheduling and seamless payment.
For truck drivers in need of battery swaps, the process is straightforward. Through the “Dianlala” app, drivers can view the status of nearby battery packs in real-time, make advance reservations for selected packs, and then proceed to the designated swap location. Upon receiving a reservation order, the mobile battery swap station manager contacts the driver through the app. Once the driver arrives at the station, they can confirm the transaction through the app to initiate the battery swap.
Currently, “Dianlala” has implemented related projects in over a dozen cities, including Nanjing, Hefei, Yichun, Linfen, Tangshan, and Tieling. In addition to meeting charging and battery swap demands, it also functions as a large outdoor mobile battery that can power charging stations and even be utilized on construction sites, earning it the nickname “on-demand large charging treasure” from companies.
As the penetration rate of new energy heavy-duty trucks rapidly increases, the “Dianlala” model not only addresses the challenge of energy replenishment but also opens up new scenarios for green energy consumption. Data indicates that a diesel heavy-duty truck consumes approximately 35 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, resulting in annual carbon emissions of up to 130 tons. In contrast, electric heavy-duty trucks, when paired with green energy sources, can achieve zero carbon emissions throughout their operation. The mobile battery swap stations of “Dianlala” enhance emission reduction effects through the integration of distributed solar and wind energy resources, contributing to the achievement of carbon neutrality goals.
In a recent coal mine scenario, “Dianlala” implemented a “solar + mobile battery swap” solution to replace diesel truck transportation, resulting in annual carbon reductions equivalent to planting 12,000 trees. During the recently held Third International Energy Storage Conference, 13 city-level agents signed cooperation agreements with “Dianlala,” and numerous enterprises are joining the mobile energy replenishment sector for heavy-duty trucks.
Additionally, the national standard GB/T 40032.2—2025 “Safety Requirements for Electric Vehicle Battery Swapping Part 2: Commercial Vehicles,” which was compiled under the leadership of Jiangsu Electric Power Investment Easy Charging New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., has been officially released.
“By 2025, our strategic plan includes expanding to over 50 cities, recruiting more than 100 agents, deploying over 200 mobile battery swap vehicles, and building 300 modular battery swap stations, further leading industry transformation and establishing Nanjing’s position as a national leader in the commercial electric vehicle battery swapping sector,” Li Xin confidently stated when discussing the future.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/revolutionizing-electric-vehicle-charging-with-mobile-stations-for-on-demand-energy-supply/
