The electrified market is not just about the launch of new electric vehicles in different segments. But it became about the batteries. How fast and powerful the battery can be charged for the customers to be back on road? Well, let’s see what solution NIO is providing.
The concept led to the discovery of ultra fast-charging battery capacity to new battery swapping technology. NIO launched its upgraded Power Swap Station 2.0 with its Sinopec signed partner.
NIO launched its Battery as Service (BaaS) subscription model that offers chargeable, swappable, and upgradeable batteries. The BaaS subscription provides the opportunity to also purchase a car without the battery.
By October 2021, more than 551 NIO Power Swap Stations were operable in more than 60 cities in China. Nio and Sinopec signed their joint partnership for Power Swap Station 2.0.
At Sinopec’s Chaoying Station in Beijing on April 15, 2021, the company rolled its first power swap station 2.0. The partnership is stated to be the key step in peak carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality for global, green, and innovative transportation initiatives.
The smart battery swap system is enabled by the software-defined cloud computing technology and is known as the world’s first mass-produced battery swap station to maneuver automatically.
239 sensors and four collaborating cloud computing systems are installed in each NIO Power Swap Station 2.0 for maximizing the visual recognition technology applications. The advanced allows the driver to initiate a self-service battery swap with one click while staying in the car.
The collaboration is also aiming to cooperate in new materials, smart EV tech, Battery-as-a-Service(BaaS), purchasing a vehicle, and recreating facility constructions.
“Sinopec is accelerating its transformation from traditional petroleum product sales to an integrated energy service provider of oil, gas, hydrogen, electricity, and non-oil businesses, focusing on developing new dimensions such as battery swapping high-power DC fast charging. Over the next few years, Sinopec plans to deploy 5,000 battery charging and swapping stations. The partnership with NIO will enable both to leverage their advantages, deepen the collaboration in a broader scope, and ultimately achieve more significant results, promoting a high-quality economic and social development and a higher quality of life for all,” by Yuzhuo Zhang, Sinopec’s Chairman and Secretary of the Leading Party Member Group.
According to William Li, founder, chairman, and CEO of NIO, “NIO and Sinopec’s collaboration will efficiently consolidate their resources and bring a better charging and swapping experience to EV users. Sinopec’s determination to invest in green energy service will encourage more people to adopt new energy vehicles.”
The Power Swap Station 2.0 includes 14 battery slots with 13 battery packs rather than 5(V1.0) and an empty slot to pick up the discharged battery. In Jan 2022, NIO also launched its first-ever battery-swapping station in Norway. The next market to launch their battery are in Germany.
In Norway, 92% of the customers are opting for BaaS rather than the full purchase. Around 200 NIO ES8 models got registered in Norway.
And finally, don’t forget two checks two expert reviews,
The technology is way advanced and smartly designed. The engagement of the vehicle with the charging station was unique and I hope in the long run, it doesn’t affect the tire. Well, it was considered to be faster than its predecessors but doesn’t seem to be. However, it is absolutely a unique experience for the customers.
It’s actually like you being in a petrol pump station and someone providing you the necessary support while you are in the car.