has signed an agreement with state-owned CNTIC to provide solutions for the export, installation, commissioning and delivery of its battery swap stations.

(Image credit: Nio)

Nio appears to be gearing up to increase its efforts to build battery swap stations overseas, with the signing of the latest agreement to facilitate the move.

The company signed a strategic cooperation agreement with state-owned China National Technical Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC) on March 1 to collaborate on new energy infrastructure construction and electric vehicle support services in overseas markets, according to a press release shared with CnEVPost today.

Founded in 1952, CNTIC's main business includes import and export of key technologies and complete plants, domestic and international engineering contracting and project management, with operations in more than 100 countries and regions.

The company will leverage its strengths in import and export of complete plants, international transportation, and international engineering services to provide solutions for the export, installation, commissioning, and delivery of Nio's battery swap stations.

Nio and CNTIC also plan to discuss the construction of stations with photovoltaic power generation, energy storage, charging, and battery swap functions, as well as the investment and operation of battery assets.

The partnership will focus on Europe and gradually expand to other regions, the Nio press release said.

Nio is already delivering vehicles in Norway in 2021. Its products and full suite of services will enter Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark this year. The company's goal is to be in more than 25 countries and regions by 2025.

Through the cooperation with CNTIC, Nio will accelerate the landing of energy service system in overseas markets and provide better service and experience for electric vehicle users.

Wang Yanming, General Manager of CNTIC, and Steven Feng, Chief Financial Officer of Nio, attended the signing ceremony.

The latest move is in line with Nio's consistent philosophy that before entering a market, it will think through how to provide good service to local users.

Nio launched the ET5 sedan at the Nio Day 2021 event held on December 18 last year. In an interview with English media including CnEVPost on December 19, William Li, founder, chairman and CEO of Nio, revealed his thoughts on Nio's expansion in the global market:

If Nio wants to enter a market, it will consider in advance how to ensure a good user experience.

We can't let users not get good service for a long time, and we will care whether we have the ability to provide users with a convenient experience like using a fuel car.

Late last year, Nio posted three jobs on LinkedIn in San Jose, California, all related to the company's local infrastructure plans.