Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Nio is releasing a groundbreaking EV featuring a “semi-solid state” 150kWh battery (140kWh usable), touted as the largest in any passenger car. Nio CEO William Li recently conducted an impressive endurance test, driving a prototype of the ET7 for an astounding 1,044 kilometres in 14 hours. This feat, conducted in cool temperatures less than 12 degrees centigrade, showcased the potential range of the vehicle and surpassed the capabilities of many conventional gas-powered cars.
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The test was livestreamed, featuring Li primarily utilizing Nio’s semi-autonomous technology, Navigate-on-Pilot+, and maintaining a speed limit of 90 km/h (56 MPH). With an average speed of 83.9 km/h and a travel time of 12.4 hours excluding stops, the endurance challenge demonstrated the prowess of the 150kWh ultra-long endurance battery pack. Li emphasized the flexibility of upgrading all Nio models to the 150kWh battery through the Nio battery swap system.
Interestingly, the 150kWh battery for the ET7 will be offered separately as a lease, a departure from the traditional model of integrating batteries into the vehicle. Nio had previously indicated that the standalone battery could cost as much as an entire entry-level ET5 EV, approximately $42,000. Manufactured by WeLion New Energy Technology, the battery boasts a single-cell energy density of 360 Wh/kg or 260 Wh/kg for the entire pack, surpassing Tesla’s latest cells.
Semi-solid state batteries, which use gel, clay, or resin electrolytes, provide increased energy density and fire resistance compared to current battery technologies. Despite these advancements, they fall short of the potential of full solid-state batteries, which could potentially double energy density.
While the 150kWh battery pack may not be available in the United States due to recent regulatory changes affecting tax credits, Nio remains a prominent luxury EV manufacturer in China. Nio’s unique approach allows customers to subscribe to a battery-as-a-service (BAAS) monthly plan, offering the flexibility to swap out batteries at any time, providing an innovative solution in the rapidly evolving EV landscape.
