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In a recent move to maintain the integrity of its service-oriented brand image, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio has begun enforcing stricter regulations on the use of its battery swap policy. The company has reportedly revoked lifetime free battery swap privileges for some owners due to policy abuse and misuse, particularly in cases where vehicles were used for commercial purposes such as taxi or ride-hailing services [1].
Nio's official stance, as communicated through notices and messages to owners, clarifies that lifetime warranty and free battery swap services were granted solely for non-commercial, personal use vehicles. Vehicles involved in commercial operations are subject to restrictions, including revocation of these benefits. The company started a campaign in mid-2025 to identify improper usage and informed impacted customers by July 9, 2025, about the cancellation of their lifetime free battery swap rights without extensive detailed explanations beyond policy enforcement [1].
One extreme case involves construction site managers using Nio vehicles as power supplies for temporary site offices. Another case includes factory owners using swapped batteries to power lighting systems. One owner reportedly used the battery swap benefit to power six refrigerators, two air conditioners, and surveillance equipment in his supermarket, saving over 2,000 yuan (280 USD) in monthly electricity costs [1].
This decision reflects Nio’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability of its battery swap benefit program amid growing demand and operational scale. The company introduced lifetime unlimited free battery swaps and lifetime warranty for first owners of ES8 and ES6 models in August 2019. However, as user numbers expanded, Nio gradually tightened its policies. In April 2023, free swaps were limited to four per month, and in November 2023, Nio limited free power discharge to 15 kWh monthly, with fees for additional usage [1].
This revocation is part of Nio’s ongoing efforts to reduce operating costs and achieve its fourth-quarter profitability target. Chinese media Dutenews reported that some Nio owners have been exploiting the free battery swap policy in innovative ways [1].
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[1] Source: Various news reports and Nio's official statements.
- The battery swap policy of Nio, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has been revised to exclude commercial uses such as taxis or ride-hailing services, construction site power supplies, and powering lighting systems or appliances in supermarkets, due to policy abuse.
- Owing to the increasing demand and operational scale, Nio has implemented stricter regulations on its battery swap benefits program to ensure sustainability, which includes the cancellation of lifetime free battery swap rights for those using their vehicles commercially.
- As part of its cost-cutting measures and target to achieve fourth-quarter profitability, Nio has been actively enforcing regulations to curb exploitation of the free battery swap policy by some owners, such as those using the service for innovative, commercial purposes.
