Reliable, interoperable, safe – NIO contributes to new standard for battery swapping technology
Munich, January 27, 2025 – NIO, a global company for intelligent electric vehicles in the premium segment, is using its innovative strength to support new industry standards in electromobility. The draft standard
E DIN EN IEC 62840-2 VDE 0122-40-2:2024-12VDE 0122-40-2) for battery swapping systems in electric vehicles is a milestone and the result of the committee work within the DKE (German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies in DIN and VDE), in which NIO was involved together with other players from the battery swapping systems industry. The DIN EN IEC 62840 series of standards ensures the reliability, interoperability and safety of battery swapping technology in the German market.
The aim of the committee’s collaboration was to incorporate the important international industrial standard series IEC 62840 into the German standards body in order to promote battery swapping as an alternative to conventional charging and to shape a future with fast, flexible and sustainable electromobility. As the German standardization organization for electrical engineering, electronics and information technology, the DKE offers the right platform to involve all stakeholders interested in standardization.
Kajsa Ivansson Sognefur, Head of Power Europe at NIO, says :
As a pioneer of electromobility, we see it as our responsibility not only to develop innovative technologies, but also to actively participate in the design of industry-wide standards.
“The establishment of the DIN standard for battery exchange systems is a decisive step towards making electromobility faster, more flexible and more sustainable. We are proud to be working within the DKE and with other players to create a future-proof infrastructure that meets the needs of users and drives the development of the industry,”
Majority of Germans support removable batteries
So far, permanently installed drive batteries still dominate in electric cars. However, a representative Ipsos survey commissioned by the TÜV association shows that a clear majority of respondents see advantages in the alternative concept of removable batteries: 63 percent of Germans consider these to be better or much better suited than permanently installed batteries in order to save time when charging and extend the battery life.
According to the TÜV association, the biggest obstacle to the development and establishment of interchangeable models are uniform norms and standards: There are still no cross-manufacturer standardized interchangeable battery systems. A uniform technology would significantly reduce the costs of building a comprehensive infrastructure. At the same time, the sustainable use of resources in the industry would continue to increase, because interchangeable models have a positive effect on the health of the batteries and increase their longevity. In order to take advantage of these benefits and make electromobility future-proof, NIO is committed to uniform standards and is actively involved in shaping them.
Uniform and safe battery exchange systems and stations
The localized industry standard DIN EN IEC 62840-2 (VDE 0122-40-2) contains general safety requirements for battery exchange systems and stations for electric vehicles. The series of standards thus forms the basis for the development of proprietary battery exchange systems across manufacturer boundaries by standardizing the possible functions of a battery exchange station. These include the exchange, storage, charging and cooling as well as the testing, maintenance and safety management of battery packs. The standard also specifies the requirements for the communication of the individual systems in terms of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), labels and instructions, protection against electric shock and other hazards as well as emergency measures.
The latest version of the international DIN standard (E DIN EN IEC 62840-2 VDE 0122-40-2:2024-12 Battery replacement systems for electric vehicles) was published as a draft standard by the VDE in November 2024. During the objection period, which runs until mid-January 2025, the public initially had the opportunity to comment on the requirements that had been developed. Only after the subsequent objection consultation in the National Committee will it be published as a German standard.
E DIN EN IEC 62840-2 VDE 0122-40-2:2024-12 has already received a VDE classification, which distinguishes it for its focus on safety, quality and legal compliance in electrical engineering. The series of standards combines German precision with international acceptance and is indispensable for the planning, installation and testing of electrical systems.
Innovations are redefining the industry
NIO is a leader in research and development of battery systems and combines industrial and technical know-how. The mobile, internet-based charging and battery swapping solution NIO Power is the future of electromobility with a network of Power Swap Stations for charging and changing batteries. There are already over 3,000 PSS in use in China, 59 in Europe and 19 in Germany, and the number is rising. The innovative charging infrastructure and groundbreaking technology create a unique user experience and maximum comfort, even on longer journeys.
The aim of NIO Power is to expand the charging infrastructure in Germany and Europe with advanced services and to make electromobility easier and safer in everyday life. With innovations such as Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS), NIO Power Swap, the NIO Charging Map and NIO Power Home, NIO is constantly redefining the standards of the industry. In China, over 80 percent of users already live or work within a maximum radius of three kilometers from a PSS.
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Reliable, interoperable, safe – NIO contributes to new standard for battery swapping technology, source
