Onvo Faces Challenges with Battery Availability for Nio Swap Stations
On December 9, Xia Qinghua, the head of Onvo user and service operations, revealed that the number of Nio swap stations capable of swapping Onvo batteries is currently between 700 to 800, despite there being over 1000 stations with the capability to do so. The main issue lies in the limited production capacity of batteries, with priority currently given to car buyers.
In November, it was reported that there were 644 Onvo-compatible swap stations, a number that has now increased to over 1000. However, the challenge remains in ensuring that each station has an available Onvo battery for swapping, potentially leading to a less than smooth experience depending on demand.
Xia mentioned that efforts are being made to accelerate the availability of swap stations with Onvo batteries in the future. However, recent statements from Onvo’s official Weibo account seem to contradict Xia’s claims, stating that the total number of available stations stands at 794 as of December 8.
Onvo L60, the popular electric car model, has seen significant deliveries in recent months, with over 10,000 units delivered so far. The goal for December is to exceed 10,000 deliveries in a single month, showcasing the growing demand for Onvo vehicles.
There have been reports of challenges with the 85 kWh battery pack for the Onvo L60, with some customers receiving the smaller 60 kWh battery initially with a promise to swap to the larger one later. Deliveries of the 85 kWh battery have started this month, although it remains unclear if this has contributed to the swap station availability issue.
The Onvo L60, launched in September, comes in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants, with options for both the 60 kWh and 85 kWh battery configurations. The car utilizes Nio’s modified fourth and third-generation swap stations for battery swapping, offering a competitive alternative to Tesla’s Model Y.
Priced starting at 206,900 yuan (29,250 USD), the Onvo L60 aims to provide a cost-effective and high-performance electric vehicle option in the market. With the option for battery rental service, prices can go as low as 149,900 yuan (21,200 USD), making it an attractive choice for eco-conscious consumers.
As Onvo continues to address battery availability challenges and expand its swap station network, the future looks promising for the brand in the competitive electric vehicle market.
Sources: Onvo, Weibo
