Are Belgian EV drivers ready for battery swapping? Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer NIO is gearing up to make its debut in Belgium and Luxembourg this September, as part of a wider push across Europe. The move is part of a strategic partnership with Swedish dealer group Hedin Mobility, which will oversee distribution, retail, and aftersales for both NIO and its new urban sub-brand, Firefly.
Founded in 2014 by entrepreneur William Li, often dubbed “China’s Elon Musk”, NIO has quickly cultivated a hipster following in its home country, thanks to its sleek designs, tech-laden interiors, and ambitious approach to autonomous driving. In Europe, it has already established a modest presence in early-adopter markets, including Norway, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Seven markets in total
The Belgian and Luxembourg markets are just the start of a new European chapter for NIO, which plans to enter a total of seven additional countries by 2026. Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Romania are all on the roadmap. However, the move also raises questions about whether NIO’s most distinctive feature – battery swapping – will gain traction beyond its established northern European hubs.
Unlike most EV makers, NIO has gone all in on swappable batteries, with dedicated stations that allow drivers to replace a depleted unit with a fully charged one in just a few minutes, or replace a damaged one, which is a significant advantage.
However, while the concept offers a clear time-saving benefit over traditional charging, it has come under pressure from the rise of ultra-fast charging solutions offered by rivals. BYD, for instance, announced the rollout of a superfast charging network in Europe as of yesterday. Whether Belgium will see this battery-swapping infrastructure installed remains a question mark.
Focus on fleets
Under the terms of the new partnership, Hedin Mobility will bring a suite of NIO models to its Belgian showrooms. The first wave includes the EL6 and EL8 SUVs, as well as the ET5 sedan and ET5 Touring, all of which are targeted at the business and premium sectors. That focus is no coincidence: company cars account for the majority of EV sales in Belgium, where taxation remains a crucial factor in market uptake.
Also joining the lineup is Firefly, NIO’s freshly launched compact city car, which aims to win over urban drivers with its sub-€30,000 price tag and premium build. Positioned above budget models like the Dacia Spring, it offers a more upscale alternative, perhaps closer in spirit to Lancia’s appeal than to mass-market Chinese rivals.
The official public debut of both brands is set for 19 June at the Link2Fleet ZE Experience in Leuven, where curious customers can get their first up-close look. Retail sales will follow exclusively through Hedin Automotive dealerships.
Financial headwinds
Despite its rapid expansion and innovation drive, NIO has yet to turn a profit. In the first quarter of 2025, the company posted a €825 million loss on €1.5 billion in revenue, selling just over 42,000 vehicles globally. Its European foray has been modest so far, and competition is on the rise.
Still, both NIO and Hedin remain bullish. “This partnership allows us to offer a flexible, scalable, premium EV experience that meets local needs,” said Thijs Meijling, Head of NIO Europe. Hedin’s Benelux CEO, Eddy Haesendonck, acknowledged the regulatory uncertainties in Belgium, as the government seeks to define the outlines of its tax policy on plug-in hybrids, but sees potential: “We’re proud to bring NIO to these new markets. It’s a brand that represents the future of electric mobility.”
With Chinese EVs making up just 1.56% of new car registrations in Belgium last year, NIO faces an uphill climb. But with bold design, deep tech, and an inherently fresh approach to electric mobility, it’s a bet that Belgian corporate drivers might want to try something new.
