Battery swapping electric vehicle (EV) brand NIO has revealed its European launch plans ahead of an anticipated UK arrival in 2023.

NIO, one of several Chinese EV brands expected to enter the UK market in the next 12 months, unveiled details of its products and services for Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden at its European launch event in Berlin.

As well as battery swapping stations, a vehicle subscription service will be central to NIO’s European offering, offering customers terms ranging from one to 60 months.

“Serving users in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden is an important step in realizing NIO’s 2025 plan and offering our unique user experience in more countries around the world,” NIO founder, chairman and chief executive William Li told the European launch event.

“Our compelling products, game-changing charging and battery swapping services, alongside truly innovative and flexible subscription models, will change the landscape of EVs. Our commitment to the region marks the start of NIO’s next chapter in our global development.”

AM recently reported on NIO’s plans to establish a European manufacturing in Hungary to support its European growth plans.

The brand has already launched in Norway and Sweden and the OEM has suggested that the brand will arrive in the UK – where it has appointed former Volvo Car UK commercial director Matt Galvin – will follow in 2023.

Co-founder Lihong Qin said: “There is a very deep connection between NIO and the UK because we had our first strategic and product workshops open in London in 2015.

“We opened our London office on the first day we launched and run our Advanced performance team in Oxford. I want to be in the UK as soon as possible but because of the right-hand steering it has taken us longer.

“Under our current plan we expect to enter the UK market by the end of next year.”

Chinese OEM Geely already has a strong foothold in the European automotive market, through its brands Lotus Cars, the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) and Polestar and recently acquired a stake in Aston Martin.

MG Motor UK, meanwhile, is the UK’s fastest-growing brand.

If its UK launch plans go-ahead in 2023, newcomer NIO will join and Great Wall’s Ora among a new crop of EV sector disruptors, however, with the long-awaited arrival of BYD also expected to follow.

NIO has five current models with a further four vehicles in the pipeline.

Already launched are the EP9 hypercar, the ES8 seven-seater SUV, the ES6 five-seater SUV, the EC6 coupe SUV, the ET7 saloon and the ET5 compact saloon.