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Chinese smart-battery swap stations can change EV batteries automatically

488K views · Feb 28, 2022 · 2:05 · 0 HN recommenders · 3 mentions · discussed 2023

A short South China Morning Post report on Nio's second-generation automated battery-swap stations for electric vehicles. It notes that Nio had built more than 800 stations in China by early 2022.

Why Hacker News points people here: Linked as concrete evidence that automated EV battery swapping already works at scale in China.

“the battery is swapped through an automated process in under 5 minutes”HN comment, 2023

What Hacker News said 3

Cites itLinuxBenderMay 2023

“Using the linked method the charging and battery testing occurs in a safer location away from occupants”

Automated battery swap stations for EVs

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It's already being done on some EV's [1][2]. I think it less about batteries going bad and more about getting people back on the road quickly. I think it's also risky for end users to be doing progressively faster and faster speed charges. They can catch fire with kids in the car. Using the linked method the charging and battery testing occurs in a safer location away from occupants and allows for slower charging and less spikes on the power grid. Get this process fast enough and people will demand EV's because they can get back on the road faster than using a petrol station. It's also about staying current and staying green. More efficient batteries come out in 4 years, one can swap out and be more green and have more range. That battery pack is a massive investment and this would keep that investment strong. Most people are not going to voluntarily fork out another $15-$50K depending on vehicle and will just let their existing pack age out. [1] - link [video][8 mins] [2] - this video [video][2 mins]

in “Should the US mandate EV battery recycling?” · view on HN
Cites itjodrellblankNov 2023

“China has them; automated EV battery swap stations by NIO”

Automated battery swap stations run by NIO in China

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> " If modular batteries would work, we'd have them " China has them; automated EV battery swap stations by NIO: this video

in “Electric vehicle battery prices are falling faster than expected” · view on HN
Cites itmytailorisrichDec 2023

“the battery is swapped through an automated process in under 5 minutes”

Shows NIO battery swap done in under five minutes

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Nio, a Chinese EV manufacturer, allows batteries swap instead of charging. They have swapping stations where you just drive the car in and the battery is swapped through an automated process in under 5 minutes, then you drive off with a full charge. Edit: here it is this video

in “Hyundai Ioniq EV battery replacement costs $60k, more than new car” · view on HN