China’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Limited (CATL) announced this week it has signed an agreement with Nio Inc to collaborate in the development of the world’s largest EV battery swapping network.

Battery electric vehicle (BEV) manufacturer Nio already has almost 3,200 battery swapping stations in place across China and aims to add a further 2,300 outlets by the end of the year. Over the last two years it has established battery swapping partnerships with a number of local automakers, including Geely, Changan Auto, Chery, GAC Group, FAW Group and JAC, reflecting its efforts to-date to standardize swapping technologies and establish battery swapping as a viable alternative to charging.

CATL and Nio are now looking to promote the standardisation of EV battery swapping technologies across their respective networks and accelerate the adoption of battery swapping services across the country. Ultimately, they aim to “drive the formulation and adoption of national standards for battery swapping technology in China.”

CATL confirmed in a statement that the two companies have agreed to “create the largest and most advanced battery swapping service network for passenger vehicles, leveraging their respective strengths in technology, management, platforms and brand influence.”

CATL said it will support Nio in further developing its battery swapping network, based on its own Choco-Swap technical standards and network. Nio has agreed to adopt these standards in forthcoming models under its Firefly brand. The networks of both parties will be operated in parallel, offering EV users “a more seamless and efficient swapping experience.”