China’s NIO is launching its new ET7 powered by a massive 150 kWh semi-solid state battery pack this month. Pre-orders open tomorrow, April 16, and NIO is holding an endurance challenge to see if the luxury EV can beat its own 650-mile (1044 km) range record.
NIO aims to break new ET7 range record ahead of debut
The 2024 NIO ET7 will officially debut at the Beijing Auto Show on April 25. Ahead of its launch, NIO announced a new “endurance challenge” to see if its new electric sedan can break its own range record.
In December, NIO’s founder and CEO, William Li, tested the new ET7 with a 150 kWh semi-solid state EV battery to see just how far it can go on a charge.
The 14-hour event was live-streamed. Li revealed during the trip that the new battery had already been tested with a new record for a mass-produced EV covering 1,1145 km (711 mi) CLTC range.
Li drove the new ET7 for 12.4 hours, or 14 with stops, traveling 1,044 km (~650 miles). However, with an extra 3% charge left, Li could have squeezed out another 36 km. The electric car was in intelligent drive mode for 92% of the trip (595 miles).
NIO’s range test will kick off tomorrow, April 16, with pre-orders opening the same day. Three groups of guests will compete in different routes to see if they can break the ET7 range record with the 150 kWh battery pack.
The event will be live-streamed starting at 5:50 am Beijing time (5:50 pm ET), as NIO aims to prove that “electricity is farther than oil.”
NIO opened orders for seven updated models in February, including the 2024 ET5, ET5 Touring, EC6, ES6, EC7, ES7, and ES8. The new ET7 is the last in its lineup to receive a 2024 refresh.
NIO shared new pictures of the model ahead of its official debut, revealing a similar exterior design. Inside, the electric sedan gains several features and upgrades, including two large rear passenger screens.
Earlier this month, NIO began mass production of its semi-solid state EV batteries. The Chinese EV makers’ deliveries rebounded last month, rising 14% YOY (11,866), with refreshed models rolling out.
Source: CnEVPost, NIO’s Weibo