EV Battery Swapping for Developing Countries: Benefits, Challenges, and Perspectives from a Local Key Stakeholders Study

Abstract

Electric vehicle (EV) battery swapping is gaining attention as a promising alternative to plug-in charging, especially in developing countries where infrastructure is limited, dependence on secondhand vehicles is high, and energy access is restricted. Developing countries face persistent challenges in deploying EV infrastructure at scale, and this paper aims to assess whether battery swapping can serve as a practical and scalable alternative for accelerating electric mobility in such settings. This review critically examines the potential of battery swapping in these contexts by exploring its advantages, along with implementation challenges. Using a local case study, the paper incorporates insights from key stakeholders and applies the Innovation Diffusion Model (IDM) to evaluate perceptions of relative advantage(faster, cheaper charging), trialability (ease of testing through small pilot projects), compatibility  (alignment with existing infrastructure and vehicle types), and support likelihood. The analysis combines a targeted literature review with qualitative and quantitative stakeholder consultations conducted in an early-stage EV market using the Innovation Diffusion Model framework. Local stakeholders view battery swapping positively for its advantages and ease of testing but express concerns about infrastructure compatibility, policy fragmentation, and public awareness. Key themes include battery lifecycle management, vehicle utility, safety issues, and Circular Economy opportunities. The paper also contextualizes local insights with regional developments from Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda, enriching the debate on localized policies, standardization, and hybrid transition pathways. Combining perspectives from energy, innovation, and social systems, the findings suggest that targeted pilot projects, harmonized technical standards, and supportive regulations are essential for scaling battery swapping in developing regions.

Keywords: Electric Vehicle (EV) Battery Swapping Innovation Diffusion, Local Stakeholder Perspectives, Energy Transition Policy, Developing Countries

Simwaba, Daniel and Qutieshat, Abubaker, EV Battery Swapping for Developing Countries: Benefits, Challenges, and Perspectives from a Local Key Stakeholders Study. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5396090 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5396090