Nio’s new battery asset management company will start operating next month making the Chinese electric vehicle startup’s vision of separate ownership of car and battery a reality. Battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology is keen to invest in the new venture, technology media 36Kr reported today, citing people familiar with the matter. Nio’s battery swap concept has been a long time in the making and it is currently the only new energy vehicle maker in China with battery swap technology. Consumers can buy the battery with the vehicle or they can choose to rent a battery. The new unit will manage Nio’s power battery assets and offer Battery as a Service products, in other words the rental of a range of electric car batteries that can be adapted to fit the particular needs of different car owners and minimize costs. Battery rental can lead to savings of CNY100,000 (USD14,290), according to the Shanghai-based firm’s website. Batteries can also be exchanged immediately, doing away with...