NIO and EnBW are expanding the charging options for electric cars in Germany as part of a large-scale partnership. NIO users would be able to have their batteries exchanged at up to 20 fast-charging parks in the EnBW HyperNetz, according to Petrol Plaza.
With this technology and energy solution, NIO vehicles’ empty batteries are automatically replaced by a charged one in about five minutes. The two plan to equip further EnBW-owned fast charging locations with NIO Power Swap Stations (PSS).
The expansion of the charging offer is an important factor for the switch to electric mobility. Unique and exclusive to NIO users is the concept of Power Swap Stations. In addition to the options of charging at the home wallbox and fast charging, this gives them maximum flexibility.
Ralph Kranz, General Manager NIO Deutschland GmbH
Moreover, with the two major drivers of the mobility transition working together, NIO’s battery swap solution is a good approach for drivers that could optimally complement EnBW’s fast-charging solutions, particularly over long distances, says Chief Sales & Operations Officer at EnBW, Timo Sillober.
The subscription models and the purchase option for the NIO ET7, NIO ET5, and NIO EL7 offered in Germany are designed to promote electric vehicle use and provide maximum flexibility to users.
A Power Swap Station is the size of a double garage. It is later designed for a maximum of 312 “swaps” daily. Up to 13 batteries are charged with 40 kW-80 kW in a grid- and battery-friendly way without causing common peaks in the power grid.
NIO’s Power Swap Stations network
Notably, Nio has successfully worked this battery as a service model in China and said its ‘Power Swap Stations’ network currently exceeds 1,000 stations that have offered more than ten million battery swaps. Worldwide, Nio says it has 1,200 hubs open.
This includes some in Europe, where the automaker only launched with an event in Berlin this October. Consumers on the continent can order the ET7 and ET5 and the EL7, with Nio adding countries. Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands have made a start, which makes the EnBW hubs not the first PSS that the Chinese automaker opened.
In addition, Nio launched the first Germany battery swap station at the Sortimo charging park on the A8 motorway between Munich and Stuttgart. The second location is at the Seed&Greet charging park in Hilden, also known to readers as a vast Tesla Supercharger hub. And NIO consumers could also do a battery swap near the Kurfürstendamm shopping mile in Berlin, as per Electrive.
More battery exchange stations outside China
By the end of 2023, Nio plans to open up to 120 battery exchange stations in Europe. There are to be 1,000 of these stations outside China by 2025.
