So America will exclude its manufacturers from buying the best tech? That sounds great for competitiveness.

Most battery tech is in Chinese hands, including the LFP batteries that make affordable EVs possible. The BYD Blade battery is already in the Tesla M3 highland and Y sold in Europe and other markets.

Logically, if they were using the same swapping stations. They would need to at least adapt to Nio‘s standards. As the batteries have to be removed, stored and charged by the station itself. So the dimensions cannot be much different than Nio‘s

The coolest thing, is you can change to a higher capacity pack for longer journeys. But the battery leasing is so expensive, I don’t think it’s a long term financial benefit.

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

1. Separate the rather low cost of the EV itself from the high cost of the battery.
2. 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.

1. Poor residual value of cars with battery leasing
2. The impressive reliability of the Zoe made battery leasing not necessary.
3. 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.

Most V2 and V3 superchargers in Europe support other brands and charge by app. I don’t know how similar the EU and US superchargers are internally (other than having different plugs). But they were designed before the supercharger network opened to other brands. So a retrofit should be possible.

Affordability is the key to EV adoption. Decent specs (250mi and >130kW charging) at a VW Golf Price point would be the tipping point in Europe. Yes premium cars like the Model S, EQS/E and i4 will probably all be pushing 500mi range, but I don’t think they’re going to be cheaper. Just more specs to justify the price.