NIO, a global premium smart electric vehicle (EV) company, is leveraging its innovation to support new industry standards in e-mobility.
The draft standard E DIN EN IEC 62840-2 VDE 0122-40-2:2024-12, focused on battery swapping systems for EVs, marks a milestone.
It is the result of collaborative work within the DKE (German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies in DIN and VDE), where NIO has joined forces with other industry stakeholders.
The DIN EN IEC 62840 standard series ensures the reliability, interoperability, and safety of battery-swapping technology in the German market.
The aim of this collaboration was to adopt the important international IEC 62840 standard series into the German framework, promoting battery swapping as an alternative to conventional charging and paving the way for faster, more flexible, and sustainable e-mobility.
The DKE, Germany’s standardisation body for electrical, electronic, and information technologies, provided a platform to engage all interested parties in the standardisation process.
“As a pioneer in e-mobility, we see it as our responsibility not only to develop innovative technologies but also to actively shape industry-wide standards,” says Kajsa Ivansson Sognefur, Head of Power Europe at NIO.
“Establishing the DIN standard for battery swapping systems is a decisive step towards making e-mobility faster, more flexible, and sustainable,” she adds.
Germans Embrace Battery Swapping
Currently, EVs primarily rely on fixed built-in batteries.
However, a representative Ipsos survey commissioned by TÜV Verband reveals that most Germans see advantages in the alternative battery-swapping concept.
According to the survey, 63% believe swapping batteries is better or much better suited than fixed batteries for saving time during charging and extending battery life.
The biggest obstacle to developing and establishing battery-swapping models, according to TÜV Verband, is the lack of unified norms and standards.
No cross-manufacturer standardised swapping systems currently exist.
Uniform technology would significantly reduce the costs of building a nationwide infrastructure and increase resource sustainability within the industry.
Swappable models positively impact battery health and longevity.
To leverage these benefits and ensure e-mobility is future-ready, NIO is actively working to establish and promote unified standards.
Unified and Safe Battery Swapping Systems
The localised industry standard DIN EN IEC 62840-2 (VDE 0122-40-2) contains general safety requirements for battery-swapping systems and stations for electric vehicles.
The standard series forms the foundation for developing proprietary battery-swapping systems across manufacturers by standardising key functions of swapping stations, including exchanging, storing, charging, cooling, testing, maintenance, and safety management of battery packs.
It also outlines requirements for system communication, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), labelling and instructions, protection against electric shock, and emergency measures.
The latest version of the international DIN standard (E DIN EN IEC 62840-2 VDE 0122-40-2:2024-12) for EV battery-swapping systems was published as a draft by VDE in November 2024.
During the consultation period, which runs until mid-January 2025, the public was invited to provide feedback on the proposed requirements.
Following this, the final standard will be published after a review by the national committee.
This standard has already received a VDE classification, recognising its focus on safety, quality, and legal compliance in electrical engineering.
It combines German precision with international acceptance and is indispensable for planning, installing, and testing electrical systems.
Innovations Redefining the Industry
NIO leads the way in battery system research and development, combining industrial expertise with technical know-how.
Its mobile, internet-based charging and battery-swapping solution, NIO Power, is shaping the future of e-mobility.
The network includes over 3,000 Power Swap Stations (PSS) in China, 59 in Europe, and 19 in Germany, with numbers rising.
This novel infrastructure and cutting-edge technology provide a unique user experience and maximum convenience, even for long journeys.
NIO Power aims to expand charging infrastructure across Germany and Europe with advanced services, making e-mobility simpler and safer for everyday use.
Through innovations such as Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS), NIO Power Swap, NIO Charging Map, and NIO Power Home, NIO continually redefines industry standards.
In China, over 80% of users already live or work within three kilometres of a PSS.
Read more: Top companies gather at the “Storage, Renewable and Electric Vehicles Integration Forum”
