China continues to lead the way in electric mobility, now with the implementation of rapid battery exchange at specialised stations.
This technology, which allows for the replacement of an electric vehicle (EV) cell in 90 seconds, is transforming the landscape of taxi fleets and transport services in the country.
With the time reduced to a minimum, the model offers a series of advantages for both drivers and fleet operators, who can keep their cars running almost without interruption.
For electric taxi drivers and other fleet services, time is money.
Charging an EV at conventional stations can take up to 60 minutes or more, while battery swapping at specific stations, such as those operated by NIO, takes less than two minutes.
Thus, while some vehicles remain connected to chargers for extended periods, those using battery swapping can return to the streets almost immediately.
This breakthrough, still in its early stages elsewhere in the world, finds the ideal ecosystem for its deployment and expansion in China.
NIO’s experience
NIO, one of the leaders in electric mobility in the Asian country, has pioneered this type of battery swap station, known as “Power Swap Stations.”
This solution addresses a real need in the Chinese market, where drivers seek to optimise their time and reduce waiting times.
However, this is not the first attempt to implement a battery swapping model.
In the early 2000s, the Israeli company Better Place bet on this technology in Israel and Denmark.
Unfortunately, it faced several technical and financial challenges that led to its demise in 2013.
At that time, battery technology and EVs were not yet fully developed to support such a complex and costly operation.
Today, however, NIO has overcome many of these obstacles, supported by significant advances in battery technology and EV architecture.
The company operates several cell swap stations in China and has established agreements with local companies to ensure controlled and efficient expansion.
This experience has laid the groundwork for the adoption of this technology in a market with growing demand for EVs.
Will battery swapping surpass conventional charging?
The option to swap batteries instead of charging them promises a series of concrete benefits for certain EV users.
Speed is undoubtedly the most attractive factor, but there are also other aspects to consider.
For fleet service drivers, battery swapping eliminates concerns related to cell condition and degradation.
This is because the ownership of it typically remains with the company operating the swap station.
This ensures that the cell received by the user will be in optimal condition and allows for a business model where maintenance costs are kept to a minimum.
Additionally, this model allows for the optimisation of charging station infrastructure.
Rather than deploying chargers at multiple locations, battery swap points can be centralised in strategic areas, streamlining vehicle flow and improving the overall performance of the infrastructure.
It also offers a solution to grid overload, as operators can charge the batteries in a staggered manner during off-peak hours.
The next challenge: Standardisation
Currently, each EV manufacturer uses a specific battery design and connection system, which limits the possibility of a single swapping system working for different brands and models.
To achieve broader adoption, companies and Chinese authorities are working on regulations to standardise the technical specifications of cells so that more vehicles can access this service.
The standardisation of battery bases would not only benefit car manufacturers, but also allow new operators to enter the battery swap station market.
This would promote greater competition and reduce costs for end users.
Energy companies, infrastructure providers, and governments could work together to define the necessary technical and operational standards for battery interoperability between different brands.
