Nio, a leading electric vehicle (EV) maker in China, has filed with the country’s industry regulator to use semi-solid-state batteries in 11 of its existing models, including nine SUVs and two sedans. This move indicates that Nio is ready to deploy its 150-kWh battery pack, which it unveiled in January 2021, in a wider range of vehicles.
Semi-solid-state batteries are a type of lithium-ion battery that use a solid or semi-solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one. This reduces the risk of fire and improves the energy density, safety, and lifespan of the battery. Semi-solid-state batteries are considered a key technology for the future of EVs, as they can offer longer driving range, faster charging, and lower cost.
Nio is one of the first EV makers to adopt semi-solid-state batteries, which it developed in collaboration with its supplier, Beijing WeLion New Energy Technology. Nio claims that its 150-kWh battery pack can provide a range of over 1,000 km on a single charge, and can be swapped in less than three minutes at its battery swap stations.
Which models will use the semi-solid-state batteries?
Nio currently has eight models on sale, namely ES8, ES7, ES6, EC7, EC6, ET7, ET5, and ET5 Touring. All of them support battery swap, which means that they can share the battery packs circulating in Nio’s battery swap system. However, to use the latest battery packs, the older models need to file with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in China.
According to the MIIT website, Nio has filed for 11 models to use the semi-solid-state batteries, which are supplied by WeLion. These models include:
- Nio ES8 2023
- Nio ES8 2022
- Nio ES8 2021
- Nio ES7 2023
- Nio ES6 2023
- Nio ES6 2022
- Nio ES6 2021
- Nio EC7 2023
- Nio EC6 2023
- Nio ET7 2023
- Nio ET7 2022
The filing does not mean that these models will be available for sale immediately, but it shows that Nio is preparing to launch them in the near future.
When will Nio start delivering the semi-solid-state batteries?
Nio has not announced a specific date for the delivery of the semi-solid-state batteries, but it is expected to start soon. Nio’s flagship sedan, the ET7, which was the first model to feature the 150-kWh battery pack, is scheduled to start deliveries in April 2024. Nio’s supplier, WeLion, has already begun mass production of the battery cells, and delivered the first batch to Nio in June 2023.
Nio will also hold its annual event, Nio Day 2023, on December 23, where it will unveil a new flagship model that will showcase its latest technological innovations. The new model is expected to be the global technology benchmark for smart EVs, according to Nio’s founder, chairman, and CEO, William Li.