Chinese language battery agency CATL and automaker Nio are making ready to launch what the 2 corporations declare would be the world’s largest electrical car battery swapping community.
CATL and Nio introduced a technical partnership final 12 months that included battery swapping, however on Tuesday they confirmed plans to start out coordinating efforts as they construct out battery swapping stations.
Nio launches Firefly EV model throughout Nio Day 2024
The 2 corporations will function networks in parallel, however with extra overlap as time goes on. CATL’s Chico-Swap technical requirements will likely be utilized in EVs from Nio’s Firefly model, and each corporations will work towards nationwide requirements for battery swapping tech in China that will make it simpler to accommodate different manufacturers sooner or later, CATL and Nio mentioned in press releases.
CATL can also be investing 2.5 billion yuan (roughly $345 million at present alternate charges) in Nio Energy, the automaker’s charging and battery swapping unit, as a part of the continued partnership.
Nio launches Firefly EV model throughout Nio Day 2024
Nio has stood out amongst Chinese language automakers for years because it’s the one one which continued pushing on battery swapping even after the fast-charging community was constructed out. It claims to have constructed 3,172 swapping stations in China, together with 1,000 alongside main highways connecting over 700 cities. Volvo and Polestar have signed up for the tech, on a restricted foundation, and an inventory of Chinese language automakers have already partnered to check or use the tech in some fashions.
There’s nothing prefer it exterior China, when it comes to scale. Various automakers—like Ford—have steered they’re contemplating battery swapping, however none have invested massive on the tech, past a number of pilot applications. California startup Ample can also be aiming to revive large-scale battery swapping within the U.S. with a system permitting completely different automobiles to adapt to its battery packs and swapping stations.