Electric carmaker Nio has struck a deal with traction battery vendor CATL to join efforts on researching innovative, more durable power cell designs. CnEVPost says they will find implementation in new Nio EVs and will be swappable at charging stations.
The corresponding framework contract was signed in Beijing, China. It relegates the main responsibility for researching battery lifecycle improvements to CATL – the world’s largest traction battery manufacturer and supplier with a 30+ percent share in the global market. At the same time, Nio, which has been running battery rental and swapping services since its establishment, pledges to contribute its own research data to the project. The target result is a battery design capable of retaining 80% of its original capacity after 12 years of use. Most EV makers limit their battery warranties to eight years or less.
In the meantime, CATL is actively expanding its own battery swapping service. Aside from Nio, the company signed a contract with the local taxi service DiDi at the beginning of the year. The opportunity for fast battery swaps at dedicated stations should prove especially relevant for taxi fleet operators.