Chinese electric car maker NIO has announced its first ‘Power Plant’ in Europe, with a new 10,000 square metre facility in Hungary. 

NIO's first overseas plant will serve as the manufacturing, service and R&D centre for the company’s products in Europe. It will cover the manufacturing and after-sales service of battery swapping stations, training for operations in Europe, and the R&D of power products. The company says its launch will further enhance the deployment and service efficiency of NIO Power in Europe, bringing a better ownership experience for European users. 

NIO has been a pioneer of battery swap technology, where electric car owners can change their empty power packs in minutes at special stations rather than have to wait for a recharge. 

The cars are already on sale in Norway and NIO will expand into Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark in the second half of this year. The operations of NIO Power Europe Plant will add further momentum to the construction of NIO Power Swap Stations in these countries. 

There is no official word on the brand coming to the UK, although bosses have hinted that they are keen to expand here.

Battery swap tech means less waiting for drivers