Several electric vehicle manufacturers have attempted to replace electric vehicle charging with fast battery swapping in the past. However, except in China, this endeavor has mostly failed.
Nio, the automaker known for battery swapping
Some Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, on the other hand, have found success with their battery swapping system. For example, the automaker Nio operates approximately 1,500 battery swapping stations in China and has reportedly completed over 22,000,000 battery swaps. A recent incident in China highlights the importance of adhering to strict safety procedures during the swapping process.
It was reported that an electric vehicle, operating in urban traffic, lost its entire traction battery from the chassis while driving. Everything suggests that it was a Cao Cao 60 model, which is often used as a vehicle for ride-sharing services similar to Uber. Cao Cao Car is one of many brands owned by Geely, a company that also owns Volvo and Polestar, among others.
The exchangeable battery may not always be an advantage
The company introduced its electric car model, Cao Cao 60, to the market earlier this year with a replaceable battery. The reason behind this feature is not only to shorten the charging time but also to optimize the availability of vehicles to customers. Although the vehicle is reportedly not available to the general public, based on information from Car News China, drivers participating in the Cao Cao carpooling program can purchase the vehicle for 119,800 yuan, equivalent to $17,500.
While driving on the urban circuit in Chengdu, Sichuan province, the battery ran out during the journey. The vehicle continued for a few meters due to inertia and then stopped. The cause of the problem and whether the battery had been recently replaced before the incident are unknown. Geely, the automaker, had previously stated that the Cao Cao 60 can replace the battery in less than 60 seconds, which is about three times faster than Nio vehicles. We do not want to be malicious, but it seems that removing the battery can be done in an instant if needed.
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