The company, called Energy Singularity, aims to explore commercially viable fusion energy technologies and eventually achieve human energy freedom.

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Yes, you read that right, Nio Capital, the venture capital arm of Nio, has invested in a startup researching nuclear fusion technology.

Energy Singularity announced the closing of nearly RMB 400 million ($63 million) in funding, its first round of funding since inception last year.

Nio Capital and local gaming giant miHoYo were co-leaders, with Sequoia China Seed Fund and Bluerun Ventures participating in the financing.

The funds will be used primarily to develop and build the world's first small-scale tokamak experimental device based on high-temperature superconducting materials, and to develop advanced magnet systems that can be used in the next generation of high-performance fusion devices.

Founded in 2021, Energy Singularity was co-founded by experts in the fields of theoretical physics, plasma physics and high-temperature superconductivity to explore commercially viable fusion energy technologies and ultimately achieve human energy freedom, according to a press release.

The company focuses on the development of high-magnetic-field, high-parameter, standardized high-temperature superconducting tokamak devices with commercial power generation potential and their operational control software systems to provide cost-effective, highly reliable core components and services for future commercial fusion power reactors.

"In recent years, with breakthroughs in the performance of high-temperature superconducting magnets and lower material costs, the stable operation of ultra-high-temperature plasmas over long periods of time, and the development of miniaturization of tokamak devices, the dream of controlled fusion for mankind has once again seen the light of day," said Zhu Yan, managing partner of Nio Capital.

"We hope to help the Energy Singularity team accomplish significant innovations to improve the world's energy security and welcome the early arrival of a zero-carbon planet," Zhu added.

Energy Singularity's team members come from top institutions including Stanford University, Princeton University, Peking University, Tsinghua University, with the goal of mastering the world's leading fusion energy technology and building a fusion energy commercial company, according to the release.

In February 2021, the US National Academy of Sciences released its fusion energy roadmap, declaring that it wants to achieve fusion power to the grid in 2035-2040.

Over the past three years, the US and Europe have been active in venture and private equity financing in the fusion energy sector.

Currently China still relies heavily on thermal power generation, a source that contributes 71 percent of its electricity in 2021.

Commercializing fusion energy is particularly significant for China given its high energy dependence, and ambitious carbon peaking and neutral targets, according to the press release.

Energy Singularity will collaborate with top research institutions around the world to develop fusion energy technologies with commercial application potential, according to the press release.