THE NIO’S SUCCESS IN THE EVs BATTERY CHANGE

The idea of ??swapping a dead EV battery for a fully charged one is not exactly new. However, until recently, no company had found real success in this operation. That has changed with Nio, the Chinese automaker that is at the forefront of this process and continues to grow.

THE NIO’S SUCCESS IN THE EVs BATTERY CHANGE

The idea of ??swapping a dead EV battery for a fully charged one is not exactly new. However, until recently, no company had found real success in this operation. That has changed with Nio, the Chinese automaker that is at the forefront of this process and continues to grow.

Nio is currently in the fourth generation of its battery swapping stations, with approximately 2,500 units installed. Of these, 50 are in Europe and the rest in China, with ambitious plans for global expansion.

HOW DOES NIO ELECTRIC CAR BATTERY SWAP WORK?

Nio vehicle owners can drive up to specialized containers, where their cars are automatically detected and adjusted with millimeter precision using laser technology and Wi-Fi connection. In a fully automated process, the battery is removed and replaced with a new one in just 2 minutes and 24 seconds.

Interestingly, when purchasing a Nio car, the customer has the option of not owning the battery. In this case, the cost of the vehicle drops by around 30%, and the customer pays an average of R$1,000 to use the unlimited exchange service, available only to subscribers.

WHY CHOOSE BATTERY SWAP IN ELECTRIC CARS?

The automaker not only offers more competitive prices, but also maintains strict control over battery cells, allowing it to reach advantageous resale agreements at the end of their useful life. In addition, Nio has partnerships with energy companies to recharge batteries overnight and even sell excess energy at peak times, thus optimizing its profits and sustainability.

The company is working to establish simple standards that make the system compatible with vehicles from other brands. Among the first partners in the development of this technology are Lotus, GAC and Changan, making it possible to create competitive discounts to attract a greater number of users.

                                                                              Automatic battery change station

A WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NIO'S SWAP STATIONS?

- Fast swap: The entire process takes just 2 minutes and 24 seconds.

- Precise and automated: Uses laser beams and Wi-Fi connection for maximum precision.

- Reduced price: Possibility of purchasing the car for 30% less.

- Control and resale: Strict monitoring of cells allows for profitable commercial agreements.

- Strategic partnerships: Collaborations with other brands and energy companies for optimization and expansion.

WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE OF NIO?

Inside the stations, there are robotic shelves that even allow the exchange of modules between different batteries. These devices not only improve the process, but also allow for early detection of problems, solving 40% of them remotely. Since 2021, more than 40 million battery exchanges have been carried out at these stations.

In addition, Nio plans to continue its expansion, with the ambition that 90% of owners will be within a maximum of 3 km of a station by 2025. The brand also offers an emergency charging service with special vans, capable of providing energy wherever the customer is. This service can be included as additional insurance when subscribing to the stations.

DRENEWABLE ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY

One of the most impressive aspects of this technology is its use of renewable energy sources. Nio uses solar and wind energy to recharge its batteries, making the process not only efficient but also sustainable. This reinforces the company's mission to promote a greener future that is less dependent on fossil fuels.

In short, Nio's innovation in battery replacement for electric cars not only transforms the way we think about recharging vehicles, but also offers a wide range of economic and environmental advantages. It is, without a doubt, a revolution in the electric vehicle market.

Adapted from: Terra Brasil 08/Aug/2024