Shanghai (ZXZC)- On May 21, NIO signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with the Széchenyi István University Foundation, Széchenyi István University, and the Hungarian Motorsport and Green Mobility Development Agency, according to NIO's press release. This joint research cooperation is based on NIO's battery-swapping technology, focusing on several key areas, including photovoltaic, energy storage and electric vehicle (EV) charging, grid integration and interaction, long-life batteries, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology.

Photo credit: NIO

The collaboration aims to promote exchanges between young scholars and NIO, jointly apply for European research projects, and innovate in, test, and apply products to foster Sino-Hungarian and Sino-European green cooperation, said NIO.

The Széchenyi István University Foundation was established by the Hungarian government in 2021. Its affiliated Széchenyi István University, located in Győr, Hungary, is a leading higher education institution known for its innovation and academic excellence. In recent years, the university has deepened its cooperation with globally renowned companies, significantly increasing its investment in R&D in the transportation field and having achieved outstanding results.

Márton Nagy, Hungarian Minister for National Economy, praised NIO's advanced product technology and its achievements in China's high-end pure electric market. The minister emphasized Hungary's support for electrification and sustainable development. This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary, and Hungary will further deepen cooperation with China in the new energy vehicle industry. He added Hungary is actively formulating policies to promote electrification both nationally and across Europe, with a focus on developing new energy vehicle energy replenishment infrastructure and the sustainable utilization of batteries.

Zhang Hui, Vice President of NIO Europe, expressed that NIO highly values its cooperation with Hungary. Since establishing a pragmatic and open cooperative relationship in 2022, the signing of this new memorandum is expected to drive the high-quality and rapid development of the Sino-Hungarian automotive industry. By accelerating the implementation of NIO's advanced energy replenishment technology and business concepts in Hungary, NIO aims to create more research positions in the Hungarian automotive and energy industries, helping both countries achieve their climate goals.

To enhance the efficiency of its energy layout and services in the European market, NIO officially began constructing its NIO Energy European Plant in Pest, Hungary, in July 2022, and rolled off the first battery swapping station in the same year. This is NIO's first battery swapping station factory in Europe and serves as NIO's manufacturing, R&D, and service center for its energy products in Europe.