Nio has launched a new battery technology unit in Shanghai to accelerate research and development of solid-state batteries, with an eye toward scaled application after 2027. The move establishes a “Shanghai R&D plus Anhui manufacturing” framework for the company’s power battery operations.
Under a cooperation agreement signed with the Anting town government in Shanghai’s Jiading District, Nio will locate its new battery R&D base in Jiading, where its global headquarters and core research teams are already situated. Nio also operates several vehicle and battery testing centers in the district, covering more than 60,000 square meters of facilities. Its manufacturing plants remain in Hefei, Anhui province, reinforcing the company’s dual‐site approach.
The newly formed entity, Nio Battery Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., is wholly owned by Nio and registered with a capital of 100 million yuan. It will focus on next‐generation power battery research, with particular emphasis on solid‐state technologies. According to local media reports, the unit will investigate multiple technological pathways, including oxide and sulfide chemistries, by collaborating with industry partners and research institutions.
This development follows Nio’s battery manufacturing venture established in Anhui in 2022 and reflects ongoing adjustments to its battery strategy. In late 2023, the company opted to spin off in‐house battery production, transitioning to an outsourcing model while retaining R&D capabilities. Despite moving away from asset‐heavy manufacturing, Nio’s battery research and commercialization efforts have remained robust.
In mid-2025, Nio began developing battery packs based on large 4680 cylindrical cells for a partnership with a British supercar manufacturer, a collaboration confirmed later that year by the company’s leadership. On January 6 of this year, Nio also signed a five-year strategic cooperation agreement with a major battery supplier to deepen collaboration across the electric vehicle supply chain. Additionally, in December 2025, Nio’s semi-solid-state battery supplier initiated pre-IPO preparations, contributing to a post-investment valuation of nearly 10 billion yuan for Nio’s chip unit.
Source: CNEV Post
