NIO is taking a bold step towards revolutionizing EV charging in China. The company announced plans to build 1,000 battery-swapping stations in China in 2023, bringing the total number of such facilities to 2,300 by year-end.
The Founder and Chairman of Nio, William Li, revealed the company’s ambitious plan on Tuesday. According to Li, Nio will construct 400 battery-swapping stations along highways and 600 in urban areas, focusing on the country’s third- and fourth-tier cities and counties.
See also: Nio Expands European Battery Swapping Network with Ten Stations and Seven More in the Works
Battery swapping technology allows drivers to replace depleted battery packs quickly with fully charged ones, rather than plugging the vehicle into a charging point. This technology has the potential to mitigate the growing strains placed on power grids as millions of drivers juice up, but specialists caution that it can only take off in a big way if batteries become standardized industry-wide.
Nio is among the few EV makers that are betting on battery swapping as one of the major power solutions for electric cars. Li’s recent trips to northeastern China and lower-tier cities in Zhejiang convinced him that more battery-swapping stations were needed to improve the user experience.
See also: EV Battery Swapping: Is convenience hindering collaboration and innovation?
The move marks an expansion of Nio’s plan announced in December, which aimed to add 400 battery-swapping stations this year. Nio’s vision for a more accessible, convenient and sustainable charging solution for EVs stands in contrast to that of rival Tesla Inc (TSLA.O). Tesla had previously dismissed battery swapping as “riddled with problems and not suitable for widescale use.”
With Nio’s latest announcement, the company is well-positioned to lead the charge towards a more sustainable and efficient charging infrastructure for EVs in China.
