As the world moves towards sustainable modes of transportation, electric vehicles are gaining a huge lot of popularity and criticism. One of the main concerns for EV owners is range anxiety – the fear of running out of battery charge before reaching their destination.
Some cannot fathom the environmental chaos of supply chain constraints and issues. Tesla is already famous for millions of such issues and allegations. However, automobile makers are tackling issues in their own unique ways, and Nio China seems to be getting a lot better at setting an example.
Nio China is planning to expand its battery swapping network in China with 1000 new stations and has built over ten swapping stations already in Europe. Currently, more than 1300 battery swapping stations are in operation.
Battery charging is crucial for EVs, and this has led to the development of two main charging technologies – battery swapping and supercharging. This review post is taking into account how the YouTube channel It’s Only Electric comparison pans out. The review video is a comparison race between Tesla Model Y and Nio ET7 to see how they perform on supercharging and battery swapping.
Read on to get a clear understanding of how Supercharging and battery swapping work and which one is better in this post.
Tesla Model Y Vs Nio ET7
The YouTuber begins the video by calling out how battery swapping is the next new or “the in” thing. He and his brother both begin the comparison review with the YouTuber driving in his Nio ET7 and his brother in Model & Performance.
The race is set to take place between Stockholm and Gothenburg covering 485km on this trip to find out the winner.
NIO is a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer that has developed a unique battery-swapping system for its electric vehicles (EVs). Battery swapping is a process in which an EV’s depleted battery pack is quickly removed and replaced with a fully charged one, allowing the vehicle to continue its journey without waiting for the battery to recharge.
NIO’s battery swapping system is called “Battery-as-a-Service” (BaaS), which allows drivers to subscribe to a service plan that provides access to a network of battery swapping stations. These stations are fully automated and can replace a depleted battery with a fully charged one in just a very few minutes.
Tesla on the other hand is world-famous for its impressive supercharger network. Tesla’s Supercharging service and network are quite famous among Tesla owners. The Supercharging network consists of over 45,000 individual Superchargers worldwide, making it the largest and most widely available fast-charging network for electric vehicles in the world.
The Supercharging service allows Tesla owners to quickly charge their vehicles’ batteries, providing up to 75 miles of range in just 10-20 minutes of charging. Tesla’s Supercharging stations are strategically located along major highways and popular travel routes, making it easy for drivers to take long trips and travel long distances in their electric vehicles.
Battery Swapping Vs Supercharging
Battery Swapping
Battery swapping technology involves exchanging an empty battery with a fully charged one at a dedicated station. This technology has been used by companies like Tesla, Gogoro, and Ample. The process of swapping a battery takes around 5-10 minutes, which is comparable to the time it takes to fill up a conventional gasoline vehicle. Battery swapping stations can be found in select locations, and drivers need to plan their trips accordingly.
One of the main advantages of battery swapping is the convenience it offers. Drivers do not have to wait for their vehicles to charge, and they can continue their journey immediately. Battery swapping also allows for a smaller battery, which reduces the overall weight of the vehicle and allows for more cabin space.
However, there are also some drawbacks to battery swapping. First, the infrastructure required for battery swapping is expensive and requires a significant investment. Second, not all EV models support battery-swapping technology. Finally, there is a risk of reduced battery life due to frequent swapping, as well as the environmental impact of producing and disposing of the batteries.
Supercharging
Supercharging technology involves using a high-power charging station to quickly charge an EV’s battery. Companies like Tesla and Electrify America have invested heavily in building supercharger networks across the world. Supercharging can add around 200 miles of range in just 20-30 minutes, making it a popular option for long-distance travel.
One of the main advantages of supercharging is the speed at which an EV can be charged. This makes it an ideal option for drivers who need to travel long distances. Supercharging also reduces the need for a large number of charging stations, as each station can handle multiple vehicles at once. This alone makes Supercharging a perfect reason to take a break and get the break or rest you need on your trip.
However, there are also some drawbacks to supercharging. First, the charging speed is dependent on several factors, including the temperature of the battery, the state of charge, and the capacity of the charging station. Second, the high power output required for supercharging can affect the battery life in the long run. Also, the high demand for supercharging stations during peak hours can lead to long wait times.
Model Y Vs Nio ET7 Race Stats
With two rules fixed for both the EVs, Model Y, and Nio ET7, both perform well in the race. The two rules for the race were:
- Keep the electric vehicle under the speed limit.
- Only counting the range and charging and no other stopping or external events.
Charging/Swapping Time
Model Y takes Supercharging stop at Jönköping to charge the EV and Nio drivers halt at the Nio Swappping battery station at Mantorp. Here are the time details both EVs take to replenish energy:
- Nio: 8 minutes 5 seconds
- Tesla: 12 minutes 25 seconds
Total Time To Complete The Race
The total time taken for both the EVs is cut-throat competing and is enough to give you a sharp boost of adrenaline. Here are the stats:
Nio: 5 hours 12 minutes
Tesla: 5 hours 17 minutes
Charging/Swapping Cost
Tesla Supercharger network is quite generously spread across the globe and Model Y had no troubles or spend time waiting to get on to charging. Nio ET7 smartly performs when on the swapping station with the Nomi interface’s guidance. Following are the total cost spent on charging and swapping.
- Nio: €22,2
- Tesla: €12
Nio battery swapping facility is available free of cost so far in Sweden. However, these prices are based on older data. Moreover, there is a swap difference of 61kWh accounting for an additional €17 for Tesla.
What To Expect In The Future
The Supercharging network is also renowned for its reliability and ease of use, with many Tesla owners reporting positive experiences with the service. Tesla’s network of Superchargers is also continuously expanding, with the company planning to add thousands more stations in the coming years.
Tesla’s Supercharging service and network have played a significant role in making electric vehicles more practical and convenient for long-distance travel, and have helped to popularize electric vehicles around the world.
NIO’s battery swapping system is designed to provide convenience and flexibility for EV owners, as well as reduce the upfront cost of buying an electric vehicle by separating the battery cost from the vehicle price. The company is also working on developing larger battery packs to extend the range of its vehicles and improve the efficiency of its battery-swapping system.
Tesla Model Y Performance is a celebrated EV and Nio ET7 is making waves with its impressive performance. This review is based on the charging stats and not a detailed comparison between the two vehicles. However, both the Model Y and NIO ET7 are high-performance electric vehicles with impressive acceleration and range, and they offer different features and capabilities that may appeal to different types of drivers.
Bottomline
Nio and Tesla both are amazing electric cars and the racing comparison gives you a clear understanding of how the future charging situation would be. How impressive it is to only stop for a mere 5-10 minutes to get the charging back to full. Swapping battery or opting for Supercharging V3, either way, gives you enough to make for a 500km run comfortably.
Both battery swapping and supercharging have their advantages and drawbacks, and the choice between them depends on the user’s requirements. While battery swapping offers convenience, it requires significant investment in infrastructure and can affect battery life. On the other hand, supercharging is a faster option, but it can also affect battery life and lead to long wait times during peak hours.
Nio swapping battery option could be a boon for those travelling for longer destinations as the swap time is just like seconds in front of charging. Supercharging at Tesla is also convenient but is rather great for short trips. Longer journeys can become painstaking with frequent stopping. Moreover, supercharging up to 50% is often quicker than the later tapered low state of charging.
In conclusion, both battery swapping and supercharging are important charging technologies for the future of electric vehicles. As the technology continues to evolve, we will likely see new charging options that combine the best of both worlds, offering convenience and speed without compromising on battery life. How cool is swapping though? right! Please share your views in our comment section on what way is better to charge. Swapping or Supercharging?
