China's NIO & GAC Announce Partnership on EV Charging & Battery Swapping

China's NIO and Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (GAC Group) have signed a strategic cooperation agreement on charging and swapping in China. The two companies will engage in cooperation in areas including battery standards, vehicle R&D and customisation, battery asset management and operations, swapping network development and operations.

According to the agreement, they will work together to build a unified battery standard and jointly develop passenger vehicles with swappability and battery swap stations compatible with models of both brands.

They will also facilitate the opening up and interconnection of battery swapping networks that runs on a unified operational and management system, establish a larger, standardized, and unified power infrastructure network to achieve economies of scale.

NIO has also partnered with Chang’an Automobile, Geely Holding Group, Chery Automobile, JAC Group, and Lotus for a standardised, unified power infrastructure network of broader coverage.

William LI, Founder, Chairman and CEO of NIO, says: “NIO is happy to cooperate with GAC on charging and swapping. As a pioneer in the NEV industry, GAC Group boasts a large user base and rich experience in the construction and operations of charging and swapping infrastructure. The cooperation will amplify the two companies’ respective strengths in technology and operations, and push forward the unification of battery standards and operational and management systems, so as to make swapping a more approachable solution, and provide users with experiences as hassle-free as refueling.”

Feng Xingya, President of GAC Group, adds: “Going forward, with the growing NEV population, battery swapping will unleash unlimited market opportunities, especially in cities. Because it actually solves a pain point for many users who don’t have dedicated parking spots. I’m glad to see that NIO and GAC can partner in this area. The strategic cooperation agreement that we signed today is also a foundation and guidance for our future cooperation. With it as a starting point, we hope to build more battery swap stations with which our GAC Aion users will have a better swapping experience.”

NIO has eight smart electric models in its lineup, including the flagship SUV ES8, flagship coupe SUV EC7, mid-large SUV ES7, flagship sedan ET7, all-round SUV ES6, coupe SUV EC6, mid-size sedan ET5 and mid-size tourer ET5 Touring.