Nio sets a record for the daily number of EV battery swaps
On February 15, 2026, Nio performed 146,649 battery replacement operations in one day. The record coincided with the start of the peak travel period during the Chinese New Year celebration. Just nine days earlier, on February 6, the company announced reaching the milestone of 100 million completed swaps.
What's known
Nio has created an extensive energy infrastructure in China: over 8,600 charging and battery swap stations, including more than 3,700 specialized swap stations. More than 1,000 of these facilities are located along highways. The network covers 9 routes from north to south, 11 from east to west, 16 major agglomerations, and connects 550 cities.
Nio performed 146,649 battery replacement operations in one day. Illustration: Nio
According to the report of the Ministry of Transport of China dated February 16, traffic during the holidays will grow on a pattern of "low at the beginning — high towards the end" with pronounced peak fluctuations. The average daily flow on national highways is projected to be 55 million vehicles, which is 4.5% more compared to the same period in 2025. The peak is expected on February 22 (the sixth day of the Lunar New Year) — up to 71 million cars per day, which is about twice the usual level.
The share of New Energy Vehicles (NEV) during the holiday period is estimated to be 22% of the total traffic. On average, about 12 million such cars will take to the roads daily, and at the peak — up to 15.3 million.
Considering these forecasts, Nio's record could be updated in the coming days when the flow of travelers reaches its maximum. The Chinese New Year period traditionally becomes the most serious test for the company's infrastructure.
During major holidays, including the Lunar New Year, free passage is in effect on national highways in China, which further stimulates the increase in traffic. Previously, Nio's daily battery swap record was also set during national holidays.
What is Power Swap?
Power Swap allows Nio EV owners to replace a depleted battery with a fully charged one in just 3-5 minutes at special automated stations. The driver drives onto the station, where the robotic system removes the discharged battery from under the car and installs a charged one, after which the vehicle is ready for further travel — the entire process takes place without human intervention.
Source: CarNewsChina
