NIO, a leading player in the electric vehicle market, has recently launched its fourth-generation Power Swap Station 4.0, marking a significant advancement in battery swapping technology. This new iteration brings many improvements designed to enhance speed, efficiency, and user experience, solidifying NIO’s commitment to innovation and infrastructure development.
Advanced Technology and Enhanced Capabilities
The Power Swap Station 4.0 is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including six ultrawide-FOV LiDARs and four Nvidia Orin X chips, providing a total computing power of 1,016 TOPS. These enhancements enable the station to handle complex environments more efficiently, ensuring a smoother and more reliable battery-swapping process.
One of the new station’s standout features is its speed. The Power Swap Station 4.0 is 22% faster than its predecessor, completing battery swaps in just 144 seconds. This improvement significantly reduces users’ waiting times and increases the station’s service capacity, allowing it to perform up to 480 swaps per day.
Increased Capacity and Charging Efficiency
The new station can accommodate 23 batteries, up from 21 in the previous generation. This increased capacity allows for more frequent and efficient battery swaps, catering to the growing number of EV users.
In addition to the swap station, NIO has introduced a 640kW Liquid-Cooled Power Charger. This charger boasts a maximum current of 765A and a voltage of 1,000V, making it one of the most potent chargers available. The liquid-cooled charging cable, weighing only 2.4kg, is designed for easy handling with one hand, further enhancing user convenience.
Strategic Installations and Future Plans
Nio Power installed the first new stations in the Liwan District of Guangzhou and the Luoji Service Area on the G40 Shanghai-Shaanxi Expressway. The one in Guangzhou is the city’s 108th station. Adjacent to the ring expressway, the station connects multiple trunk roads, including the S15 Guangzhou-Foshan Expressway and the Airport Expressway.
NIO plans to deploy more all-in-one stations capable of solar power generation and energy storage across Anhui Province and expand to the Yangtze River Delta.
As of June 13, 2024, NIO has installed 2,432 Power Swap Stations and 22,633 chargers in China, including 804 swap stations and 1,650 superchargers on highways. The company aims to add 1,000 more battery swap stations and 20,000 charging piles in 2024, further expanding its network and enhancing accessibility for EV users.
Benefits of the Power Swap Station 4.0
The Power Swap Station 4.0 offers numerous benefits to users, including:
Convenience: Users can initiate an automatic battery swap remotely or with a single tap on the center display, making the process seamless and user-friendly.
Speed: The reduced swap time and increased capacity mean less waiting time and more efficient use of the stations.
Compatibility: The stations support multi-brand shared battery swap services, making them versatile and accessible to a broader range of EVs.
Sustainability: Integrating photovoltaic systems on the stations aims to save significant electricity annually, contributing to a greener energy solution.
NIO’s Power Swap Station 4.0 is a testament to the company’s dedication to enhancing the recharging experience for EV users. NIO is paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable future in the electric vehicle industry by making battery swapping a viable alternative to traditional charging methods.
