Nio on Wednesday launched a new version of the ES6, the brand‘s top-selling SUV. The EV maker has priced the new vehicle from RMB 368,000 ($52,027) and said it offers a driving range of 930 kilometers (578 miles) with its new 150 kWh solid-state battery pack.
Why it matters: First launched in 2018, the ES6 has long been Nio’s top seller and performed strongly in China’s electric SUV category. The new version of the ES6 has the potential to become a high-volume car for the luxury automaker, which has faced slow growth as more established automakers enter the EV sector.
Nio first unveiled details of its 150 kWh battery packs in January 2021, when the company claimed the battery would use a solid electrolyte instead of the liquid electrolyte found in existing offerings, providing high energy density and improved safety.
The EV maker initially planned to deliver its ET7 sedans with the battery pack in the fourth quarter of 2022. However, in September 2022, CEO William Li told investors during an earnings call that production would be delayed “for several months.”
Details: The new ES6 with a 75 kWh battery pack is on sale for RMB 368,000 ($52,027) and offers a 490 kilometer driving range. The 100 kWh battery pack version is priced at RMB 426,000, offering a 625 kilometer driving range. Delivery began immediately after the launch on Wednesday night.
The price of the ES6 can be reduced to RMB 298,000 if buyers choose Nio’s “Battery-as-a-Service” program, but they will have to budget in a monthly RMB 980 battery leasing fee.
The company did not reveal the pricing for the 150 kWh version of the new ES6, but CEO Li promised that delivery would begin in July during an online press conference on Wednesday, without providing any further details.
The compact SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.5 seconds and has a dedicated computer to control chassis components, which the company said would improve the car’s balance and control.
Context: The five-seater ES6 has been Nio’s most popular vehicle model since it was first introduced in December 2018 and was the top-selling electric SUV in 2020, according to figures from the China Passenger Car Association. Nio has delivered more than 120,000 units of the original ES6 as of writing.
The company currently has seven models on sale and covers a price range between RMB 300,000 and RMB 650,000. Li said it had set a target to double the company’s delivery volume from the 122,486 units it achieved last year.
However, it delivered just 31,041 vehicles for the first three months of this year amid fierce competition, a 20.5% increase from a year earlier but a 22.5% decline from the previous quarter. By comparison, peer Li Auto delivered 52,584 units over the same period.
