The Nio’s Firefly battery swap station was seen in China for the first time. According to insider information, these stations will be established in large cities. Later, the Firefly swap system will be integrated into the fifth-gen Nio power swap stations (PSS).
Previously, there were some speculations online that Firefly would become a part of the CATL’s battery swap system due to the cooperation agreement between the world’s biggest battery maker and Nio. However, those rumors weren’t officially proven. Firefly CEO Daniel Jin said that Nio will build the new brand’s swap stations per user needs. On April 9, the first image of the Firefly demo battery swap station was shared by 莱特宁NEV Weibo influencer.
Firefly demo swap station
The Firefly demo battery swap station leaked in a spy photo. We can see some Nio Service employees and the white Onvo L60 parked next to the site. A test Firefly EV was also seen at the PSS, likely performing test swaps. The appearance of the Firefly demo station looks like a smaller size Nio’s fourth-gen PSS. It is finished in purple, which is a part of the new brand’s identity.
We can also highlight that the Firefly PSS adopts the same cameras and LiDARs layout as the fourth-gen Nio swap station. Previously, the Firefly battery swap station was revealed in patent images. This PSS might have a large screen in the front. However, it wasn’t seen in the spy shot.
The Firefly battery swap stations are said to be established in large cities with more users. There is no information about the development of the new brand’s battery swap network. However, Firefly swap technology will be integrated into Nio’s fifth-gen power swap stations in the future.
Nio is currently operating 3,249 battery swap stations in China. The company also has around 60 PSS outside China.
Firefly EV measures 4003/1781/1557 mm, with a wheelbase of 2,615 mm. It has a 42.1 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery from Sunwoda, enabling a CLTC-rated range of 420 km. The battery powers a 105 kW (140 hp) electric motor in the rear axle.
