NIO and CATL Form Strategic Partnership on Battery Swapping

NIO and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) have signed a strategic partnership to build the world's largest battery swapping network for passenger vehicles across the full range of products. It will unify industry technical standards, enhancing capital and business collaboration, and provide efficient recharging solutions for users.

The two companies will also pursue capital cooperation. CATL is currently advancing an investment in NIO Power, further cementing this strategic partnership.

Under the agreement, both parties  will collaborate to create the largest and most advanced battery swapping service network for passenger vehicles, leveraging their respective strengths in technology, management, platforms, and brand influence.

They will strengthen the sharing of their battery swapping networks, and accelerate the adoption and advancement of battery swapping services.

CATL will support NIO in developing the battery swapping network, while its Choco-Swap technical standards and network will be introduced to the subsequent newly developed models of firefly, NIO's new brand.

The networks of both parties will operate in parallel, offering EV users a more seamless and efficient swapping experience, thus making BEV travel more convenient.

In addition, they will establish a complete lifecycle loop that encompasses battery R&D, swapping services, asset management, reutilisation, and material recycling.

William Li, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of NIO, says: “The strategic cooperation between NIO and CATL marks a pivotal moment, propelling battery swapping into a brand-new phase. With the support from CATL, NIO's swapping network will extend to more regions and provide better services. This cooperation is beyond capital investment—it facilitates mutual empowerment in technological standards and service systems. NIO has maintained an open approach in fields such as charging and swapping network and battery asset management, aiming to bring the ‘Chargeable, Swappable, Upgradeable’ solution to a broader user base and accelerate the transition of the automotive industry towards green and low-carbon development.”

Robin Zeng, Founder, Chairman, and General Manager of CATL, adds: “CATL has always been committed to driving the global energy transition. This strategic partnership with NIO Power marks a milestone in collaborative innovation across the entire value chain. Leveraging our Choco-Swap and the parallel operations of both CATL’s and NIO’s networks, we are able to build a smart power network that caters to a wide range of needs across multiple levels and dimensions. This will enable every battery to deliver greater value throughout its lifecycle, and allow us to provide global users with safer, more efficient, and more sustainable electric mobility solutions.”

In March 2024, NIO and CATL signed a framework agreement to jointly promote innovation in the R&D of long-life batteries.