20 Dec 21
News

New Nio ET5 surpasses Tesla Model 3 in battery pack size

Sunbathe Yellow Nio ET 5 driving shot

At Nio Day in Suzhou China the ET5 was unveiled. Nio’s new compact model wants to rival the Tesla Model 3. 

With its sleek lines, its hatchback formula and clean interior with a dominant infotainment screen (in portrait mode) the ET5 mimics its American muse in more than one field. 

But Nio wants to turn things up a notch. In addition to a Standard Range (75 kWh, range of 550 km), and a Long Range (100 kWh, range of 700 km) the ET5 will be available as an Ultra Long Range with an unprecedented battery pack of 150 kWh, which provides more than 1,000 km on a single charge. That’s according to the notoriously optimistic Chinese cycle (CLTC), but still.

As an instigator of battery-swapping technology the ET5 will also be available with Baas (Battery as a Service). A monthly subscription fee for leasing the battery will lower the price tag from $ 51,500 to $ 40,000. The biggest battery pack can only be purchased, not leased.

After gradual validation, the various features of autonomous driving will also be made available to subscribing customers (ADaaS, Autonomous Driving as a Service). With three frontal facing camera’s under the roofline, it’s clear that the ET5 carries strong ambitions as a self-driving vehicle.

Sales for the ET5 will start as of the beginning of next year in its homeland. Not much later a few dedicated European markets, as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands are on the agenda.

Image courtesy of NIO.

Authored by: Piet Andries