Nio and CATL to build world’s largest battery swap network

The world of electric cars is about to go through a rapid change, thanks to a major partnership between Nio and CATL. These two companies are joining efforts to build the largest battery swap network ever seen. This means drivers of electric vehicles will have more options and faster ways to keep their cars running, at least in China.

Nio is the pioneer of battery swap technology, and it is teaming up with CATL, which is the world's biggest maker of EV batteries. Together, the two companies will create a vast network of battery swap stations. This will let even more EV owners quickly replace their car's battery with a fully charged one, instead of waiting for it to charge. CATL is investing up to $346 million into Nio Power, showing they are serious about this partnership.

The plan is to have two battery swap networks working side by side. Nio's existing network will continue, and CATL's Choco-Swap technology will be used in Nio's new Firefly brand cars. This means more battery swap stations and more choices for drivers. The companies also want to work together to make battery standards the same across different car brands. This would make it easier for all EVs to use the swap stations.

Beyond just swapping batteries, Nio and CATL are looking at the entire life of a battery. They want to work on battery research, asset management, and recycling. This will help make EVs more affordable and better for the environment. They also want to help China set national standards for battery swap technology.

Nio already has the biggest battery swap network, with 3,172 stations. They have also made deals with other car companies like Changan Automobile, Chery, GAC Group, and JAC Group. CATL held nearly 38 percent of the EV battery market in 2024.

It's interesting to note that when Nio had trouble selling cars, many wondered about the future of battery swapping. By teaming up with CATL, Nio is proving that the technology it pioneered, is the future. Nio's stock responded quickly to the news, with shares rising by more than 16 percent.

Via