Skip advert
Advertisement

NIO and Shell sign agreement for battery swap stations

Chinese EV brand and energy giant collaborate to bring battery charging and swapping stations to Europe from next year

NIO battery swap

Chinese electric car maker NIO has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Shell, which among other things, will see EV battery swapping stations installed in Europe.

The agreement states that NIO and the energy giant will "jointly construct and operate battery charging and swapping facilities". The plan is to install 100 battery swapping stations in China by 2025, and "start to construct and operate" pilot stations in Europe.

NIO has already installed over 300 battery swapping stations across China. Currently only available to owners of the brand's cars, the facilities can remove a flat battery and exchange it for a fully charged one in three minutes - significantly faster than even the quickest chargers and in a similar ball park to filling up with fuel.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Shell will also make its charging network in Europe available to NIO users and allow NIO to install swapping stations at its locations. NIO will install Shell Recharge rapid charging points at its locations in return.

The two brands will "continue to explore more collaboration opportunities in battery asset management, fleet management, membership systems, home charging services, advanced battery charging and swapping technology development".

Shell, the world's largest petrol retailer, claims it is "committed to becoming one of the leading charging service providers worldwide."

NIO has taken its first steps in the European market, selling its ES8 SUV and ET7 saloon in Norway. Further European expansion is due, while the firm said in May it could expand into the UK if there's enough interest.

Check out our list of the best electric cars here...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Geely and NIO agreement could see battery swapping tech on Volvo, Polestar and Lotus cars
Volvo EX30 - front action
News

Geely and NIO agreement could see battery swapping tech on Volvo, Polestar and Lotus cars

The Chinese giant behind Volvo, Polestar and Lotus will join forces with NIO on battery tech
30 Nov 2023
'Like Tesla with hindsight, Nio could make big waves in the UK'
Opinion - Nio
Opinion

'Like Tesla with hindsight, Nio could make big waves in the UK'

Editor-in-chief Steve Fowler thinks Nio is a brand that could really shake up the premium elite
25 Oct 2023
New Nio ET5 to make UK public debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed
NIO ET5 - front
News

New Nio ET5 to make UK public debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed

The all-electric Nio ET5 comes with up to 366 miles of range
6 Jul 2023
New 2024 Nio ET5 Touring to come with 483bhp
Nio ET5 Touring - front tracking
News

New 2024 Nio ET5 Touring to come with 483bhp

UK-bound Chinese firm will have an all-electric estate offering
16 Jun 2023

Most Popular

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”
Opinion - MG4
Opinion

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”

The wave of Chinese cars has arrived in the UK, and Mike Rutherford thinks it’s not about to stop any time soon
17 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: breathtaking Lotus Emira V6 for £45k and an I.O.U.
Lotus Emira - driving
News

Car Deal of the Day: breathtaking Lotus Emira V6 for £45k and an I.O.U.

Our Deal of the Day for 15 March is a half-now, half-later plan for the last-ever petrol-powered Lotus sports car
15 Mar 2024
New Audi A5 Sportback and Avant: prices, specs and info on sleek new compact execs
New Audi A5 Avant - exclusive image
News

New Audi A5 Sportback and Avant: prices, specs and info on sleek new compact execs

The new ICE and hybrid Audi A5 is due by year’s end in hatchback and estate forms
15 Mar 2024