As part of its Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) offering, Nio now provides customers in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden with the flexibility to choose between two battery sizes. This service allows users to adapt their vehicle’s battery capacity to their current needs on a monthly basis.
Previously, Nio customers had to decide at the time of purchase whether to opt for the 75 kWh standard range battery or the 100 kWh long-range battery. They could only swap batteries of the same type at Power Swap Stations, with monthly fees of €169 or €289, respectively, and switching between battery sizes was not possible.
Following successful implementation in China, Nio has extended this flexible battery swapping to European markets. Users can now select the standard range battery for everyday short trips and upgrade to the long-range battery when planning longer journeys, such as holidays. The larger battery offers up to 30% more range, varying slightly between models.
Customers can book the battery upgrade through the Nio app at least one day in advance, subject to availability. The next day, they receive a fully charged battery of the desired size at a local Power Swap Station. The swapping process remains the same, whether exchanging for the same type or a different battery size.
Kajsa Ivansson Sognefur, Head of Nio Power Europe, commented, “With the flexible battery upgrade, European Nio users benefit from freedom of choice, comfort, and peace of mind regarding their range—all at a lower cost. We are giving our users the opportunity to choose the battery that best suits their needs. This is the future of flexible, user-centred electromobility.”
In China, the flexibility is even greater. Users can choose from three battery options, including a 150 kWh “Ultra Long Range” battery, and can book different battery sizes daily, weekly, or monthly. This allows users to tailor their battery choice precisely to their immediate requirements.
While Nio has emphasized the technical capability for battery size switching in Europe, earlier limitations were due to tax regulations affecting company car taxation. It’s unclear how the flexible battery exchange will impact taxation for company cars under the new system. Nio has been approached for further information on this matter, and updates will be provided when available.
Source: Electrive
