Calvin declined to say how many power transfer sites the company intends to have ready for the UK rollout, but said: “The priority will be connecting major cities to major roads, and then we’ll expand the urban systems. There may be no off-street parking access. They can use power transfer stations such as gas stations.
Because they store batteries that can be charged slowly, Power Swap stations don’t require as big a network connection as a standard fast charger, but many sites offer traditional EV charging, Galvin noted.
“The reason we invested in PowerSwap infrastructure is because we’re a user-centric brand,” said Calvin. “For mass adoption of electric vehicles, you have to make it as easy as possible. At the moment, some people don’t find this particularly easy, but the power swap adds a new dimension.
The Neo cars will be offered in the UK on a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) model, with users leasing the batteries so they can be replaced regularly. Another “deterrent” to buying an EV, Galvin said, is keeping the cost of a car low and ensuring minimum health for batteries.
The Neo plans a three-car line-up for an initial UK launch, which will grow rapidly over the next few years. The company’s original platforms were not designed with right-hand drive in mind and had to be modified, but newer models like the recently released EL6 SUV use a new platform that allows for easier RHD conversion.
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