Nio, CATL Sign Strategic Deal to Boost Battery Swap Services

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio has signed a strategic agreement with leading battery supplier CATL to develop a nationwide battery swapping network, a move aimed at improving battery service efficiency and advancing standardization efforts in the industry.

Under the partnership, the two companies will build what they describe as the world’s largest and most advanced battery swapping network for passenger vehicles. The collaboration will enhance the sharing of swapping infrastructure and promote unified battery standards to accelerate the adoption of the technology, Nio said in a statement.

See also: Shanghai and Hefei Introduce Battery Swap Station Subsidies, Benefiting Nio

“The strategic cooperation between Nio and CATL marks a pivotal moment, propelling battery swapping into a brand-new phase,” said Nio’s founder and CEO William Li. “With the support from CATL, Nio’s swapping network will extend to more regions and provide better services. This cooperation is beyond capital investment—it facilitates mutual empowerment in technological standards and service systems.”

As part of the agreement, CATL will introduce its Choco-Swap technology to future models under Nio’s upcoming Firefly brand, while its battery swap network will operate alongside Nio’s own infrastructure to provide a more seamless user experience. The companies will also work together to advance national standards for battery swapping technology in China.

See also: Nio Opens First Battery Swap Station in MENA

In addition, CATL plans to invest up to 2.5 billion yuan ($346 million) in Nio Power, Nio’s energy division, reinforcing the long-term strategic cooperation between the two firms.

Robin Zeng, chairman and CEO of CATL, emphasized the significance of the collaboration. “Leveraging our Choco-Swap and the parallel operations of both CATL’s and Nio’s networks, we are able to build a smart power network that caters to a wide range of needs across multiple levels and dimensions,” Zeng said.

Nio, which operates 3,172 battery swap stations as of early 2024, has been expanding its partnerships with other automakers, including Changan Automobile, Chery, GAC Group, and JAC Group, in an effort to broaden the adoption of battery swapping technology.