Polestar, the premium electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer owned by Geely and Volvo Cars, has announced its integration with Nio’s charging network in China, marking the latest collaboration between EV makers in the country.
Through the interconnected charging networks of Polestar and Nio, Polestar customers now have access to a broader coverage and more efficient charging experience, according to a statement released by Polestar.
With access to over 2,200 Nio charging stations and more than 11,000 charging piles, Polestar users can utilize Nio’s charging facilities through their vehicle apps. This integration allows them to access services such as search, navigation, QR code scanning, and payment, all within the Polestar ecosystem.
Nio boasts one of the largest charging networks in China, with 2,274 supercharging stations offering 10,386 charging piles and 1,596 destination charging stations providing 12,231 chargers, as of June 6, according to data from CnEVPost. Notably, Nio’s charging infrastructure is open to all EV users, with over 80 percent of its charging piles serving non-Nio-branded EVs.
Direct partnerships between car manufacturers and Nio on the charging network aim to improve the overall charging experience. This includes the ability to use Nio’s charging facilities directly through the car manufacturers’ apps or maps on the in-car screen.
As of May 31, Polestar had 22 supercharging stations in China, covering 17 cities, including major hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Chengdu. Polestar users primarily rely on third-party facilities for charging, with access to nearly 750,000 third-party charging piles.
Polestar is the seventh company to announce access to Nio’s charging network, following Geely Automobile Holdings, Jiyue, SAIC-GM, Deepal, Hyper, and IM Motors.
Originally a brand under Volvo Cars before becoming independent with joint funding from Geely and Volvo, Polestar focuses on high-end EVs and is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden.