Since announcing the Power North program at the Shanghai Auto Show, NIO has already deployed a second-generation battery swapping station in Urumqi, Xinjiang.
On July 28th, NIO also opened a new charging network on the Duku Highway in Xinjiang, consisting of 4 destination charging stations with 20 kW power each. It is worth mentioning that the Duku Highway was fully opened on July 4th, which shortened the distance between North and South Xinjiang by nearly half from over 1000km.
In addition, due to the unique terrain of the Duku Highway, with many sharp turns and steep slopes, over 280km of the total 560km stretch is above an altitude of 2000 meters. It passes through the Bayinbrook Grassland, Kizilila Mountain, and treacherous gorges, earning the reputation as one of the most beautiful scenic roads. However, due to the significant elevation changes and the effect on electric vehicle range, as with any long-distance journey, preparing for charging is essential.
Therefore, here are some charging tips:
The first leg of the journey is particularly important, as the first charging station is located at the Keketuohai Grand Canyon in Karamay, at an altitude of about 800 meters, while the next charging station is about 243km away, with an altitude of about 3400 meters at the Hashlegeng Tunnel, finally reaching the Xinjiang Wenlv Nalati Resort at an altitude of about 1800 meters. It is recommended to fully charge the battery to 100% at the first charging station to prevent potential issues due to insufficient battery range, and avoid having to wait for roadside assistance.
In addition, the third charging station is located at the Bayinbrook Driving Campsite, approximately 85km from the Xinjiang Wenlv Nalati Resort, with an altitude of about 2500 meters. For those who opt not to stay at a hotel, they can charge a small amount of energy at the hotel before heading to the driving campsite.
Finally, the fourth charging station is located at the Kuche Tianyuan International Hotel, at an altitude of about 1100 meters and about 256km from Bayinbrook. During this leg, approximately 60% of the route is downhill, so the pressure on the range is relatively small.
_🔗Source: NIO App
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.