DHL to manage service parts logistics for EV manufacturer NIO in Europe
Shanghai-headquartered manufacturer of smart electric vehicles NIO has chosen DHL as its logistics partner for European aftermarket services.
DHL will manage storage, distribution and customs clearance of parts and accessories for NIO's customers across Northwestern Europe. This partnership will see DHL handle aftermarket services for both NIO-brand models and compact vehicles from its recently-launched Firefly brand.
The logistics provider will manage operations from the DHL automotive campus in Holtum, the Netherlands. This campus is strategically located near major European transport corridors, which will support DHL in its ambition to provide NIO with fast delivery times and flexible capacity.
It will provide NIO with an integrated solution combining the expertise of three of its divisions: DHL Supply Chain, DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Freight.
“Europe is at the heart of NIO’s journey," said Thijs Meijling, head of Europe business at NIO. "To deliver on our promise of a truly user-centric experience, we rely on strong partnerships with Europe’s best. With DHL, we gain a global logistics player whose dense network enables us to react quickly and flexibly to our users’ needs in aftersales services – from warehousing to distribution."
He added: "This collaboration is another milestone in building NIO’s European ecosystem, where innovation, design and sustainability come together to set new standards for mobility”.
NIO's Power Swap Stations
NIO Power Swap is an initiative introduced as an alternative to conventional EV charging. Rather than wait for a battery to charge, owners of NIO vehicles can visit automated facilities called Power Swap Stations to replace a depleted battery with a fully charged one in under five minutes. Since the launch of the first station in 2018, NIO has deployed a total of 3,790 Power Swap Stations worldwide. This year, it plans to build a further 1,000 Power Swap Stations in an effort to eliminate range anxiety for drivers of its vehicles.
In February, NIO celebrated its milestone 100 millionth battery swap and on February 19, it set a new daily record of 165,525 battery swaps. The company said in a statement that it views this milestone as the mark of "a new beginning" and stated that it will "continue to invest in charging and swapping infrastructure, strengthen its energy business operations, and create sustained value for users, businesses, and society, building a solid foundation for the profitability and long-term growth of its energy services".
“Partnering with NIO underscores the momentum we see across the electric mobility ecosystem and reflects our commitment to supporting the next generation of sustainable transport," said Fathi Tlatli, global auto mobility sector president at DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation. "With DHL’s proven expertise in EV logistics and our global network of specialists, we provide compliant, cost-efficient and future-ready supply chain solutions that enable innovative players like NIO to scale their European footprint with confidence.”
