There are indications that NIO will soon release a new EV with a 150kWh battery pack that delivers more than 600 miles on a single charge. The semi-solid-state battery will be premiered in an electric SUV, possibly the EC7. The company has filed for regulatory approval of three EVs that will use its semi-solid-state battery manufactured by WeLion.
The three new NIO EVs are the ET5, ET7, and EC7 models. The ET5 and ET7 are sedans while the EC7 is a performance SUV. The three EVs officially have up to 150kWh power packs based on a semi solid-state battery. On the other hand, the NIO EC7 electric SUV is expected to enter the market in June 2023.
The new NIO battery pack for its premium SUV is an expensive and high-performance battery. NIO reportedly approached CATL first for the manufacture of the 150kWh battery but subsequently settled for WeLion. It seemed CATL was not enthusiastic enough about the prospect of such a battery and declined the proposition. This was because it felt such kind of battery had never been produced before and it would have to invest heavily in R&D for this purpose. It will also have to invest heavily in production tools and other aspects of the project with low commercial viability.
WeLion is by far a smaller company than CATL but it was able to work with NIO in the development of the first semi solid-state 150kWh battery pack. The battery is expected to achieve the 1,000km range on new NIO models. The pack uses a hybrid liquid-solid electrolyte and has been proven to be commercially viable. It remains to be seen however whether the cost of these innovative semi solid-state high-performance battery packs will elicit substantial demand. The cost of the 150kWh battery is reportedly as much as the ET5 sedan itself. NIO has said that the battery may be available on rental for customers who may desire to embark on longer trips. It has a network of battery swap stations to accommodate such a scenario.
There are also indications that mass-producing the 150kWh battery packs could substantially reduce the cost. The recent regulatory filing by the company seems to be leading in that direction. NIO expects to make direct sales of the battery inside its vehicles this summer.
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