Chinese automakers Nio and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group said on Wednesday they had signed a strategic partnership agreement on battery swapping that would see them work together on standards, technology and model development.
You don’t need to use the station though. The Nio cars still have decent fast charging capabilities. 125kw peak, but with a nice flat curve 86kWh usable 10-80% in 41 minutes.
It was exceedingly popular back in the day, 93% of Zoe’s in 2017 and continued to be until around 2019 when it was discontinued (60%). In fact it probably was one of the biggest factors in the success of the Zoe.
Separate the rather low cost of the EV itself from the high cost of the battery.
Spare customers the risk of battery degradation, a bigger cause for concern back in 2017 especially considering the poor degradation of the original leaf.
I think a number of factors caused the model to be discontinued.
Poor residual value of cars with battery leasing
The impressive reliability of the Zoe made battery leasing not necessary.
Generous EV grants after 2019 offset the cost of the battery purchase.
Now, I don’t think the average Nio prospective buyer will care much to save 12k€ on the battery. Since the scheme always made more sense for cheaper low-cost cars. For me it’s just a means to subsidise their swapping infrastructure, as the swap fees definitely aren’t enough (10€ + energy costs).
You don’t need to use the station though. The Nio cars still have decent fast charging capabilities. 125kw peak, but with a nice flat curve 86kWh usable 10-80% in 41 minutes.
Renault tried the approach of non battery ownership and it hasn’t caught on very well. I just don’t see it becoming a big thing in Europe
It was exceedingly popular back in the day, 93% of Zoe’s in 2017 and continued to be until around 2019 when it was discontinued (60%). In fact it probably was one of the biggest factors in the success of the Zoe.
https://media.renault.com/renault-reaches-milestone-of-100000-ev-batteries-leased/
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/renault-ends-battery-leasing-electric-zoe
I think a number of factors caused the model to be discontinued.
Now, I don’t think the average Nio prospective buyer will care much to save 12k€ on the battery. Since the scheme always made more sense for cheaper low-cost cars. For me it’s just a means to subsidise their swapping infrastructure, as the swap fees definitely aren’t enough (10€ + energy costs).