On December 24, Nio officially unveiled two models to its lineup – a brand new SUV coupe EC7 and refreshed version of its first mass-produced EV from 2018 – ES8, underpinned by its new NT2.0 platform. Nio also launched Generation 3.0 Swap Station. The EC6 start at 488,000 yuan ($68,800), and the ES8 NT2 starts at 528,000 ($75,600).

All the announcements were made at the Nio day 2022 annual product event, which was held at Hefei International Convention and Exhibition Center. Let’s look closely at the new products launched.

Generation 3.0 PSS (Power Swap Station)

The Gen3 PSS can store 21 batteries and can perform 408 swaps per day. Nio will start installing Gen3 PSS at a large scale since March 2023. The original PSS Gen1 could store 5 batteries and do 120 exchanges daily. The previous Gen2 PSS, currently installed in Europe and China, can store 13 batteries and have a daily service capacity of 312 swaps.

Nio operates 1285 PSS in China and 9 in Europe as of today. Nio aims to have 1700 PSS in China and 120 PSS in Europe by the end of 2023.

Nio also presented a 500 kW ultra-fast charger called Power Charger 3.0 on Nio day. It has a maximum charging current of 660V and can charge EVs based on 800V architecture from 10% to 80% in 12 minutes. Non of the Nio vehicles support 800V architecture. However, William Li previously confirmed that Nio plans to start producing an 800-volt battery pack in the second half of 2024.

Nio EC7

EC7 is nothing new to our readers, as we informed about EC7 being launched before. Also, many specs have already leaked. The car is an SUV coupe, and its slogan is Elegance is the power. The size is 4,968mm long, 1974mm wide, and 1714mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,960mm.

EC7, like all Nio’s NT2-based cars, comes with three battery options:

• 75 kWh battery, 490 km range
• 100 kWh battery, 635 km range
• 150 kWh battery and 940 km range
• The 150 kWh battery is only teasing as it is not on the market yet.

The prices were also revealed:

• 75kWh battery – 488,000 yuan ($68,800)
• 100 kWh battery – 546,000 yuan ($78,000)
• EC7 without battery (BaaS) – 418,000 yuan ($59,800)

Aside from this, there is a Premier edition with a 100 kWh battery, Nappa interior, 21″ elegant wheels, and NOMI Mate 2.0 and 6 piston brakes in Airglow Orange for 578,000 ($82,700).

EC7 will start deliveries from May 2023 in China.

Nio ES8 NT2

Many people couldn’t wait for this refreshed car, William Li among them, as he uses ES8 as his daily driver.

New ES8 comes with 22″ wheels and a 480 kW dual engine that can do 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds. The drag coefficient is 0,250.

ES8 NT2 is a big 5.1 meters long car. The size is 5,099mm in length x 1,989mm in width x 1,750mm in height, and the wheelbase is 3,070mm. During the presentation, William Li joked, “Someone asked me when we launch MPV, and I want to say – this is much better than MPV!”

ES8 range and battery options

• 75kWh battery with 465 km range
• 100 kWh battery 605 km range
• 150 kWh battery with a 900 km range

ES8 has an all-aluminum body created by the world’s largest 8,800 tons die casting machine. 31 parts were merged into one thanks to the die casting.

During the ES8 presentation, William Li teased Nio Phone when he said, “Spoiler alert, Nio ES8 wireless phone charging is compatible with Nio Phone.”

Nio ES8 prices were also revealed:

• 75 kWh version for 528,00 yuan ($75,500)
• 100 kWh 586,000 yuan ($83,800)
• ES8 without battery (BaaS) – 458,000 yuan ($65,500)

The top trim Signature edition with a 100 kWh battery will start at 638,00 yuan ($91,300).

Deliveries of ES8 NT2 will begin June 2023.

What wasn’t announced?

Nio plans to have 5 new models before the first half of 2023 ends. Today we saw the first two of them, so there are three more. We already saw spy shots of the ET5 station wagon (ES5), so will this be the next one to come? Not to forget Nio Phone will be launched in spring 2023, so there is definitely lots to look for in H1.