BEIJING, March 18 (Reuters) - Chinese electric vehicle

maker Nio announced its partnership with CATL

to establish a battery swapping network for cars.

CATL will support Nio in developing the battery swapping

network while the battery giant's Choco-Swap technical standards

and network will be introduced to Firefly-branded newly

developed models, according to a company statement sent to

Reuters on Tuesday.

The two companies will also pursue capital cooperation, with

CATL advancing an investment capped at 2.5 billion yuan ($345.6

million) in Nio Power.

($1 = 7.2346 Chinese yuan)