Battery charging and swapping stations (BCSSs) for electric vehicles has become an important infrastructure contributing to the development and spread of electric vehicles in China. The cost-benefit model of BCSS is crucial for its commercialization. In this paper

the battery lease mode is chosen as the operation mode of the BCSS. On the grounds of the chosen mode

the cost-benefit model of the BCSS based on the time-varying economic assessment index including net present value is built that considers the whole capital costs

the maintenance and operation fees

employee wages and service returns from swap and charging. Finally

with a BCSS based on leased mode in China as an example

the whole life cycle cost-benefit model is presented and the key elements affecting the station’s revenue are found through a sensitivity analysis. The sequence of sensitivity elements is as follows: the battery swapping price

lease rental of batteries

electricity price

and so on. The model of BCSS and its sensitivity analysis has provided a basis for cost-benefit assessment and decision marking for commercial operation of BCSS of electric vehicles.