Chinese electric vehicle NIO has launched its range in the European Union, the world's second largest market.

Its vehicles have been available in Norway, which sells the most electric vehicles per person globally since last year.

At an event in Berlin, Germany NIO showed off its ET5, ET7 and EL7 models with local license plates.

Unlike most of its competitors, NIO enourages users to lease batteries, rather than buy them with the car, dramatically reducing the up front cost. Rather than needing to spend long periods charging, drivers can simply visit a swap station and exchange and empty battery for a full one. While the model works in China, NIO has not yet developed a network in Europe, which is less densely populated. 

China is both the world's largest producer and user of electric vehicles and its manufacturers are seeking to expand internationally.

NIO follows BYD which last month said it will make three models available in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany.