Chinese Nio electric car is seen at Nio's first European plant and power swap station in Biatorbagy, Hungary, September 16, 2022.
Prices range from around 50,000-70,000 euros ($49,000-$69,000), depending on the car's range and whether customers buy or rent the battery.
Nio will stick to direct sales in existing markets in part due to less attractive taxation on subscription models in Norway and restrictions around licence plates in China, Li said.
"The advantage of our business separating the car from the battery is that we may reach economies of scale for the batteries faster than the cars," Li said.
"In the long-run we believe any top company in the automotive industry will soon have in-house battery production," Li said.