Nio is joining forces with Chinese state-owned carmaker Changan Automobile to share its innovative battery-swapping technology in what could prove to be a major coup for the EV startup, allowing it to ease costs.
The partnership between the two car manufacturers to build and share Nio’s battery-swapping network will also focus on creating standardized swappable batteries, developing swappable vehicles, and establishing an efficient battery asset management mechanism. Nio has largely gone it alone in the world of battery-swapping EVs but Chinese authorities have been eager to promote the establishment of battery-swapping networks and standards over the past three years.
Read: Nio’s Third-Gen Battery Swap Stations Can Change A Battery In 3 Minutes
“As NIO started battery swap from the very beginning, it has been ready to open up its technologies and infrastructure to the entire industry,” Nio founder, chairman, and chief executive William Li said. “Similar to the cloud service provided by Internet companies, NIO’s Power Swap network and Power Cloud also followed the path along which we started with developing infrastructure and achieving a closed loop internally, and then open to others after validating the service across various scenarios.”
Changan is one of the four largest automotive groups in China and operates brands including Changan, Deepal, Avatr, and Kaisheng while also operating joint venture partnerships with Ford, Mazda, and JMC. Nio currently operates more than 2,100 Power Swap stations around the world and is installing 1,000 new stations in China this year. Its network has provided customers with more than 32 million battery swaps since launching.
“As China is doubling down on new energy and smart connected vehicles, the implementation of NIO’s battery swapping model marks a significant milestone for the industry,” added Changan Automobile chairman Huarong Zhu. “The partnership between Changan Automobile and NIO on battery swap is of great importance, contributing to the high-quality development of China’s new energy vehicle industry.”
The two automakers have not announced a timeline for when Nio’s battery-swapping network will be upgraded and expanded to support cars from Changan.
