For years, battery swapping has been a key feature and commercial advantage for Nio, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer. This technology allows drivers to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in a matter of minutes, much like refilling a gas tank. While other companies, such as CATL, have introduced similar solutions, Nio had been the main player in this area. However, with increasing competition in China and the high costs of building charging infrastructure, Nio and Geely, another major Chinese automaker, have decided to collaborate. The agreement, signed on September 28, 2026, involves more than just sharing patents. It includes financial investments, infrastructure sharing, and cross-ownership, according to reports from Chinese media like Cnevpost. Nio's battery swap network, known as Nio Power, already operates more than 4,100 stations in China and aims to expand to 10,000 by 2030. Under the new agreement, Geely acquires a 30% stake in Nio Power. In return, Geely injects 640 million yuan (about 83 million euros) in cash and transfers its own battery swap subsidiary, Yiyi Power, which serves commercial fleets, into Nio's network. Nio, in turn, acquires a 10% stake in Geely's charging subsidiary, Haohan Energy. This partnership will enable both companies to merge their charging networks, combining battery swap stations with traditional charging points. William Li, CEO of Nio, described the alliance as a "de-escalation" move to reduce the intense competition among Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers. He emphasized that combining technologies, avoiding redundant investments, and improving efficiency are major challenges for the industry. The agreement also marks a shift in product strategy: Geely will develop vehicles for its various brands that are compatible with Nio's battery swap technology. This means that in the future, Chinese consumers will no longer be limited to Nio's models when using battery swap stations. Instead, the technology will become a shared industry standard. In Europe, however, battery swapping remains a less common option. While Nio has set up a few stations in Germany and Norway, no major European carmaker has committed to the technology. With the partnership, Nio and Geely are strengthening their position in Asia, where they aim to make battery swapping as standard as fast-charging stations. The question remains whether this alliance could also influence the development of battery swapping in Europe, where the technology is still viewed with caution.