The NIO Inc ET Preview concept vehicle stands on display at the Auto Shanghai 2019 show in Shanghai on April 16, 2019. (PHOTO / BLOOMBERG)

BEIJING / SHANGHAI - Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio Inc has launched a battery leasing service which will allow drivers to buy an EV without owning the battery pack - one of the most expensive EV components - thereby lowering the starting price of its cars.

The service, dubbed as “battery as a service”, entails drivers paying a monthly rental fee for use of the batteries.

The cheapest Nio car after subsidies is now an ES6 sport-utility vehicle (SUV) priced 273,600 yuan (US$39,553) without ownership of the battery pack, versus 343,600 yuan including the battery pack.

A NIO Inc battery pack for electric vehicles is displayed at the Auto Shanghai 2019 show in Shanghai. (PHOTO / BLOOMBERG)

Nio operates 143 battery-swapping stations around China, where drivers can swap spent battery packs for fully charged replacements

ALSO READ: More charging poles needed as NEV sector continues to grow

Nio operates 143 battery-swapping stations around China, where drivers can swap spent battery packs for fully charged replacements.

The industry ministry has said it would promote the adoption of vehicles with batteries that can be swapped between different makes and models.

The NIO Inc ES6 electric sport utility vehicle stands on display at the Auto Shanghai 2019 show in Shanghai, China, on April 16, 2019.  (PHOTO / BLOOMBERG)

READ MORE: Hazards with Leading Ideal One puts NEV safety in spotlight

To that end, Nio’s battery packs are the same shape and size across its lineup, which is comprised of three SUVs. EV models from peer BAIC BluePark New Energy Technology Co Ltd also have standardised batteries.

The batteries for Nio’s leasing service will be supplied by a company established by Chinese battery makers including leader Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd. The company has registered capital of 800 million yuan, a government filing showed.