Electric vehicle (EV) battery swapping has revolutionized the charging process for EV owners around the world. Once pioneered by EV startup Nio in China, the concept has gained widespread popularity, with Nio exporting its battery swapping stations to Europe. This innovative approach allows drivers to swap their depleted batteries for fully charged ones in just three to five minutes, eliminating the waiting time typically associated with conventional charging methods.
A recent video shared on TikTok by a Nio EL7 driver from Oslo, Norway, provides a captivating glimpse into the battery swapping experience. Shot from the driver’s perspective, the video sheds light on the simplicity and convenience of the process. It begins with the driver issuing a voice command to initiate the battery swap, followed by the navigation system suggesting the nearest swapping stations. Once the driver selects a station and places an order, the car automatically navigates to the designated location.
Upon arrival, the driver is guided to park the car in the “Start Area,” which is clearly marked on the ground. The driver then presses the “Start Parking” button on the center screen, prompting the car to autonomously back into the station. At this point, the driver is reminded not to open any doors, shift gears, or press the brake pedal, to ensure a seamless swapping experience. It’s worth noting that the climate control system is temporarily deactivated during the process, but drivers are informed that they can adjust the windows beforehand.
Once the driver initiates the battery swapping process by pressing the “Start Power Swap” button, the car’s system shuts down, except for the AI-powered Nomi car assistant, whose glowing eyes provide an eerie ambiance in the darkness. The car undergoes a series of thumping noises and rattles before the dashboard lights up again, indicating a successful battery swap. In just a matter of minutes, the Nio EV is ready to hit the road with a fully charged battery.
Nio, with its more than 2,000 Power Swap Stations in China and 27 in Europe, emphasizes the efficiency of its battery swapping service. They boast that every 1.4 seconds, a car departs from one of their stations with a fully charged battery. This achievement is made possible through Nio’s Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, which separates the costs and maintenance of batteries from the overall vehicle expenses. As a result, EV ownership becomes more attractive, with an impressive 95% of users in Norway opting for the BaaS model.
FAQ:
Q: How long does it take to swap the battery at a Nio Power Swap Station?
A: The battery swapping process at a Nio Power Swap Station typically takes between three to five minutes.
Q: Can drivers manually initiate the battery swapping process?
A: No, once the driver parks the car in the designated area, the car autonomously initiates the battery swapping process.
Q: What happens to the climate control system during the battery swapping process?
A: The climate control system is temporarily disabled during the battery swapping process, but drivers can adjust the windows before starting the process.
Q: How many Power Swap Stations does Nio have?
A: As of October 26, 2,000 Power Swap Stations are operational in China, with an additional 27 in Europe.
