In Sankt Augustin, halfway between the smell of Bratwurst and German efficiency, something that could represent a turning point in electric mobility in the coming years happened on April 29. Nio inaugurated his 60th Nio Power Swap in Europe and the 20th in Germany. But it’s not just a number. This is a silent but strong announcement: we are coming. And quickly.
If you thought it was electric mobility Just a question of kilometers of autonomy and a nervous struggle for the most foster rapid charger, then obviously you have not heard of it NIO to ni Energy exchange station. The Chinese pioneer of electric vehicles is not just a charismatic car manufacturer electric car With great security in the digital field, but above all the architect of a radically different approach to the “thinning”. Instead of waiting with a coffee and check Instagram while the battery is loaded, you can simply replace the battery and turn on Nio Energy Exchange Station. Like a tire change in the F1 box, only the car is electric and you are still in a tie.
The replacement of batteries is the reality of the future – Nio Power Swap – not just a utopia
New energy exchange station The second generation, installed at the end of April in Sankt Augustin, a city between Cologne and Bonn, is a jewel of technology. Can do up to 312 battery changes per dayAnd each procedure takes only 5 minutes. Inside the station there is room for 13 batteries, which are not only stored but also recharged with a power up to 80 kW. It is not even necessary to leave the vehicle: everything is automated, mechanically precise and practically silent.
This is the twentieth of the battery replacement station that Nio has installed in Germany, which means that Asian giant Norway has already equaled, until recently the European kingdom of electric mobility. However, the company’s ambitions go far beyond. According to Zhang Hui, vice -president of Nio Europe, the goal is clear: to become the backbone of the electric infrastructure in Europe, while promoting cooperation between the Chinese and European car industry. In other words: Tesla, be careful.
And why is this important? Because the “swap” model can represent a real alternative, or even a solution, for all those who, due to the “range anxiety” (fear of having the battery download) did not literally want to move on to electricity. With a fastest battery replacement of the recharging and more intuitive than most of the current solutions, Nio offers something that seems science fiction but that works here and now.
History could demonstrate that this is the station in Sant’Agostino – modest but progressive – one of the steps undertaken by China enters the door on the back of the German automotive pride. But without dramatizing: if there is someone who can teach us how to change a battery quickly, clean and efficiently, it is anyone. Even someone from Shanghai. Of course, I’m just joking in a sarcastic way and I am referring to Porsche, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
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Conclusion: Would you also turn to the Power Swap station?! Are you sorry to wait another 15 minutes?
If with his cars Nio has shown that he can make an attractive electric car, digitally advanced and pleasant to drive, with his infrastructure he is becoming an even more dangerous actor. Nowadays, a battery replacement system may not be suitable for everyone. But tomorrow, when we all look for solutions to recharge our electric vehicles in the fastest and flexible way possible, what are building today on the Cologne-Bonn route will seem a visionary decision. How much does it cost to replace the battery? This still remains a secret, as it is linked to the subscription system and ownership of Nio. But if comfort exceeds the price, then the future is already here. And it is interchangeable.
