Nio will officially launch the first model under its Firefly brand on April 19, integrating the company’s own battery swap network rather than the infrastructure developed by CATL, Firefly President Daniel Jin announced.
Jin stated on Firefly’s mobile app that future models under the brand will adopt CATL’s Choco-Swap battery swap standard. Earlier today, Nio and CATL announced a collaboration to build the world’s largest battery swap network, with CATL’s technology to be incorporated into Firefly’s upcoming models.
In the initial rollout, Nio will establish demonstration swap stations in key cities before connecting the Firefly model to its fifth-generation battery swap system. The latest swap stations Nio is deploying in China are fourth-generation stations, which are also compatible with its Onvo sub-brand. “Subsequent new models, which are currently in pre-research, will introduce CATL’s Choco-Swap standard in due course,” Jin said.
Firefly, launched on Nio Day 2024 in December, targets the BMW Mini and Mercedes-Benz Smart segments in global markets. Its first model, named after the brand, is a premium compact BEV priced at RMB 148,800 ($20,600) and offers a 42.1 kWh battery with a CLTC range of 420 km.
See also: Spy Photo Reveals Interior of Nio’s Firefly Sub-Brand Model Ahead of April Launch
Despite speculation that it may use CATL battery packs, regulatory filings confirmed Sunwoda as the supplier. This marks the first time Sunwoda, originally a phone battery manufacturer, has been among Nio’s battery suppliers.