Nio, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker, is ramping up its infrastructure efforts for battery swapping this year. The company announced it will add at least 1,000 swap stations throughout China in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Nio aims to install over a thousand new battery swap stations across the country this year.
- The company will deploy its fifth-generation stations, which can handle more swaps per day than current models.
- Nio’s network now covers 27 provincial regions in China with plans for even broader coverage by the end of next year.
In a live video broadcast, Nio founder and CEO William Li announced that the company will start rolling out its fifth-generation battery swap stations this year. These new stations can handle up to 20 percent more swaps daily compared to their predecessors.
Li and his team recently drove along the main road connecting Yunnan with Tibet and set up 19 battery swapping stations over a route exceeding 2,700 kilometers. This effort highlights Nio’s commitment to expanding its network across challenging terrain in China.
Nio slowed down its infrastructure growth slightly during 2024 and 2025 but added 681 swap stations last year alone. The company now plans a significant boost by adding at least one thousand new locations this coming year, aiming to make battery swapping more convenient for EV owners.
With the deployment of fifth-generation stations scheduled for early next year before Christmas 2025, Nio expects its network will cover over 2,300 counties across China’s provinces by December 31st. This expansion is set to improve accessibility and convenience for electric vehicle users nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many battery swap stations will Nio add in 2026?
Nio aims to install at least a thousand new battery swapping locations throughout China this year.
What’s special about the fifth-generation battery swap station?
The upcoming generation of stations will be able to handle up to 20 percent more daily swaps compared to existing models, making them more efficient and user-friendly.
Nio is working hard to make electric vehicle ownership easier by expanding its network of convenient battery swapping locations. With ambitious plans for the coming year, drivers can look forward to even better support as they drive across China’s vast landscape.
