Shanghai (ZXZC)- Zhong An Energy Co., Ltd. ("Zhong An" is Chinese Pinyin), which is jointly funded and established by  Anhui Province Energy Group, NIO, Gotion High-tech, and Anhui Provincial New Energy Vehicle and Intelligent Connected Vehicle Industry Themed FoF (Fund of Funds), was unveiled in Hefei on January 11, according to a post on the WeChat account of Anhui Daily.

Photo credit: Anhui Daily

The new company is committed to advancing the development of electric vehicle (EV) charging and battery swapping infrastructure and platforms in Anhui Province, establishing standardized battery swapping protocols, and engaging in battery bank operations. Furthermore, there are plans to gradually extend the focus to areas such as the post-market services for new energy vehicles, virtual power plants, and carbon management.

Following the inauguration ceremony, Anhui Province Energy Group, Anhui Transportation Holding Group Co., Ltd., and NIO signed a "Strategic Cooperation Agreement for the Joint Advancement of Open and Shared Energy Storage-EV Charging- Battery Swapping Systems."

Additionally, JAC Group and Chery Holding separately inked "Battery Swapping Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreements" with NIO.

As outlined in the agreements, JAC Group and NIO will collaborate on various fronts, including the establishment of swappable battery standards, battery swapping technologies, the construction and sharing of battery swapping service networks, and the establishment of an efficient battery asset management mechanism. JAC Group's upcoming new energy vehicle models will undergo extensive collaboration with NIO, aiming to introduce models that are "chargeable, swappable, and upgradable," enhancing the overall user charging experience.

Chery Holding and NIO will engage in comprehensive and multi-level strategic cooperation in areas such as battery standards, battery swapping technologies, the construction and operation of battery swapping service networks.

In November 2023, NIO announced the opening of its previously exclusively battery swapping services, subsequently signing agreements with Changan Auto and Geely to promote swappable battery standards, network construction and sharing, battery swappable vehicle model development, and the establishment of an efficient battery asset management mechanism.

Following the signing of the agreement with Changan Auto, NIO's founder, CEO, and Chairman, William Bin Li, hinted at ongoing discussions with "4-5 more automakers" for similar collaborations. After the agreement with Geely, Li Bin reiterated the commitment to enhancing NIO users' charging experience and embarking on the construction of a battery swapping network for multi-brand sharing with partners.