China truck distributor EcoSwift leads Singapore's second battery-swap test for heavy EVs
Battery-swopping takes much less time than charging a heavy electric vehicle (EV), thus reducing downtime for commercial fleets.
Launched on Friday (Aug 1) by EcoSwift, the Singapore agent for China electric truck manufacturer Sany, the test involves seven of the brand's EV490 electric prime mover trucks.
The trucks have 350 kilowatt-hour swoppable battery packs providing over 240 kilometres of range. They will hit the road in mid-August for the year-long trial, with EcoSwift providing a battery charging and swop station (BCSS).
Each truck will be assigned to one of seven participating companies: haulage companies Allied Container and Haulio; retailer FairPrice Group; logistics companies HUB and YCH; construction equipment supplier Erect; and power company SP Group.
EcoSwift CEO Ryan Woon said: 'This test bed will lay the groundwork for heavy vehicle battery swopping in Singapore, as standards will be shaped by insights gained from it.'
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'That will pave the way for full commercial operation, where we will be able to partner other truck manufacturers into our network, further expanding options and flexibility for fleet operators.'
The project is one of two heavy vehicle BCSS trials approved by the Land Transport Authority last year.
The first trial, by Singapore port operator PSA, began earlier at Pasir Panjang Terminal. PSA intends to deploy more than 500 electric prime movers by 2030.
BCSS trials for other EV types have been used to update technical standards, paving the way for commercial operations.
For example, a battery swop system for motorcycles was tested by Taiwanese company Gogoro in 2023, with commercial operations following in October 2024.
Swop around the clock
Located at EcoSwift's premises at 5 Tuas Avenue, the fully-automated Sany BCSS operates around the clock and can swop around 60 batteries a day.
Holding three batteries at a time, it can perform a battery swop in five minutes. In contrast, charging a battery would take 1.5 hours with a 240 kilowatt electric vehicle fast charger and at least several hours with a regular charger.
Compared to conventional trucks, the Sany EV490 has lower emissions and costs less to operate.
One EV490 emits 36 fewer tonnes of carbon dioxide per year compared to a similar diesel-powered model. With lower energy costs and less maintenance needed, it can be up to 37 per cent cheaper to run.
EcoSwift said it plans to expand its battery swop stations island-wide and introduce mobile battery-swop capabilities in the near future.
From 2026, the Heavy Vehicle Zero Emissions Scheme and Electric Heavy Vehicle Charger Grant will give incentives of S$40,000 for heavy EVs and up to S$30,000 for the installation of related chargers. As details have yet to be released, it is not yet clear if EcoSwift's charging station and trucks will be eligible.
In China, sales of electric and hybrid trucks rose 175 per cent to 76,100 in the first half of 2025, accounting for a quarter of new heavy truck sales, according to consultancy Sublime China Information.
Sany reportedly expects EVs to form as much as 80 per cent of new heavy vehicle sales within two to three years, with lower operating costs and improved EV infrastructure.
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