Battery-swapping partnership

Electric-vehicle (EV) brand Nio has signed a partnership agreement with Changan Automobile to develop new battery-swapping models.

The Chinese companies will also build and share battery-swapping stations and standardise batteries under the partnership, which aims to help Nio improve its profitability.

Battery swapping allows drivers to quickly replace depleted packs with a fully charged one, rather than plugging the vehicle into a charging point.

It is believed this approach can reduce the strain on power grids at peak times when drivers recharge their vehicles, reports Automotive News Europe.

Nio is focusing on battery swapping as a major power option for EVs despite other marques saying such facilities are too expensive and instead sticking with developing fast-charging technologies and extended-range hybrid models.

Changan and Nio were ranked seventh and eighth for EV sales in China for the first nine months of this year with 123,322 and 109,993 units, respectively, according to figures from China Passenger Car Association.

Nio, which was founded in 2014, has more than 2,100 battery-swapping stations worldwide and nearly one million charging poles. It has provided more than 32 million battery swaps for consumers.

William Li, Nio’s founder, chairman and chief executive, says his company has “rich experience” in the research, development, construction and operations of its Power Swap Stations, and is ready to share its know-how with others. 

“As a leading automotive company in China, Changan Automobile has demonstrated great determination and strong execution in electrification and transformation,” he adds. 

“With this partnership, Nio and Changan Automobile will jointly contribute to the development and transformation of the industry.”