Changan Oshan 520

There’s a pretty interesting shift happening when it comes to electric vehicles, and most of it’s happening in China with a new twist on EV technology—battery swapping. Companies like Nio have been leading the charge, but now giants like CATL and carmakers such as Changan are diving in with their own innovations. The exciting part? The Changan Oshan 520 sedan, specifically built for taxi services, is now a key player in this tech-driven field.
CATL’s Battery Swap Stations

CATL, the world’s top EV battery supplier, has thrown its hat into the ring with a plan for 1,000 battery swap stations throughout 31 cities in China by the end of the year. The new swap stations are quite efficient, capable of handling up to 822 swaps a day, which certainly helps taxi drivers maximize their time on the road. Gone are the long waits at charging stations; all it takes is 100 seconds at a swap station to replace an empty battery with a fully charged one.
Collaborating Brands and Models

With strategic agreements, CATL isn’t doing this alone. Collaborations with major automotive brands like GAC, Chery, Nio, SAIC, FAW, and BAIC ensure that a range of models, including the GAC Aion S and Hongqi E-QM5, among others, are compatible with these swap stations. This widespread compatibility is key to making battery swapping a practical and popular choice.
Oshan 520 Specs
The Oshan 520 offers a 56 kWh battery, providing a solid range of about 320 miles on a full charge. It’s priced competitively starting at approximately $23,100. This makes it an economical choice for taxi services looking to reduce downtime. The ability to swiftly get back on the road without a lengthy charging pause could be a game-changer, especially compared to filling up a tank of gas.
Driving Feel
Getting behind the wheel of an Oshan 520 feels almost futuristic. The sedan presents a smooth, nearly silent drive, typical of an EV, but has the added convenience of the ever-ready swap technology. When compared to traditional internal combustion taxis or even non-swappable EVs, an Oshan 520 ensures more consistency, thanks to its rapid refueling ability. It kind of bridges the gap between luxury of time management and the tech-loving aspects of modern EVs. Anyone who values efficiency on urban roads would appreciate the difference this technology brings.
EV Battery Breakthrough
GM's $900M V8 Bet
Hellcat Redeye Roars
Stellantis Taps New CEO
Tesla's Latest Test