Changan Automobile

In China. I didn’t want to bury the lede too far. Today, NIO and Changan Automobile announced the two companies had agreed to develop a joint standard for swappable EV batteries. NIO is the largest operator of swappable passenger EV batteries in the world, with over 2,000 battery swap stations in its home market of China, along with a small network in Europe. But today’s news is an important milestone for battery swapping regardless.

Young EV startup Avatr appears to be the latest Chinese automaker sharing plans to expand to new markets in Europe. Following the debut of its second-ever EV model the 12 (pronounced “one-two”), Avatr – backed by big tech names like CATL, Huawei, and Changan – will not only sell its EVs in Europe but also intends to build them there too.

Chinese automaker Changan Automobile has launched a new electric vehicle that strongly resembles the Tesla Model 3, but it starts at just $26,000.