Chinese machinery giant Sany Group has launched its battery swapping stations, setting an example for the heavyweight manufacturing industry in green solutions for electric heavy trucks.

The first batch of battery swapping stations, located in Chengdu, Sichuan province, Zibo, Shandong province, and Ezhou, Hubei province, were officially put into operation. The stations offered a strong power exchange supply and efficient energy replenishment experience for local construction projects.

Yi Xiaogang, executive president and chief engineer of Sany Group, said: "With our advanced technology, changing the battery for a heavy truck takes only 1.9 minutes, setting a new record in the industry."

Battery swapping involves switching dead batteries for ones that are fully charged rather than the more common method of recharging exhausted batteries at a charging station.

According to a report from industry new media "Truck Player", compared with traditional charging facilities, battery swapping takes a much shorter amount of time. For station operators, swapping stations take up less space than battery charge stations, saving construction costs.

"The battery swapping mode provides customers with an additional option, which is also convenient. The establishment of the swapping stations promoted the development of pure electric heavyweights," Yi said.

Official data showed in the first quarter of this year, sales of China's pure electric heavy trucks skyrocketed 761 percent year-on-year to 4,615 units, showing explosive growth in the sector. By March, there were over 100 heavy-duty truck swapping stations in the country.

As a leading solution provider of swapping stations, vehicles and batteries, in the second half of this year Sany plans to release more battery swap products, it said.