NIO launches ultra-fast battery swapping stations for EVs

NIO, which provides premium smart electric vehicles, is transforming how UAE drivers power their EVs through the successful rollout of its Power Swap Station technology.

This innovation offers a seamless alternative to traditional EV charging, allowing drivers to swap out a depleted battery for a fully charged one in as little as three minutes.

This cutting-edge infrastructure provides a faster and more energy-efficient solution to two major barriers hindering EV adoption in the UAE, such as long charging times and limited charger availability.

Unlike conventional charging, where energy delivery slows as the battery nears capacity, NIO’s battery swapping provides instant energy delivery through a charged replacement, eliminating delays and making EVs more practical for everyday use.

The fully automated system handles everything, from parking the vehicle inside the station to removing and replacing the battery.

A comprehensive health check is also performed on the battery, motor and electric systems during each swap, ensuring optimal performance and safety. Every swapped battery is charged under ideal conditions and monitored for peak reliability.

Battery swapping also brings a range of advantages for users.

A better way of charging EVs

The process is as fast as traditional refuelling, fully automated without requiring the driver to leave the vehicle, and each swap includes a complete system check.

This ensures only healthy batteries remain in circulation. Batteries are charged in optimal conditions, which helps extend their lifespan, and swappable batteries are easier to reuse or recycle.

The UAE’s first Power Swap Station was launched in February 2025 at Yas Marina Circuit.

Since then, around 15% of NIO drivers in the country are already using the service, with this number expected to grow as more stations are added. NIO’s data shows strong adoption and rising local interest in battery swapping as a viable energy delivery solution.

For comparison, charging a 100kWh battery from 5% to 95% would take around eight hours on an 11kW AC charger, two hours on a 50kW DC charger, and 45 minutes on a 120kW DC charger.

NIO’s battery swapping reduces that to just three minutes, resulting in up to 99% time savings.

So far, more than 1,749 kilowatt-hours of electricity have been delivered through battery swaps. Delivering the same amount with a 120kW DC charger would take roughly 15 hours, while NIO’s Power Swap Station has achieved it in just 1.4 hours of total swapping time.

A second Power Swap Station is due to open in Dubai in the coming weeks, with more to follow across the country by the end of the year.

The expansion reflects growing demand and highlights NIO’s role in supporting the UAE’s mobility goals.

The deployment of Power Swap Stations aligns with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which encourages investment in sustainable and innovative mobility solutions to meet the needs of the UAE’s rapidly expanding population.