NIO are electric cars in the premium class (Audi and BMW) with the option to switch to fully charged batteries along the road in a few minutes. The cars are manufactured in China and handled in Norway by NIO Norge.
Now there are so many great SUVs that one has to wonder if the market isn't saturated soon? The NIO EL8 is not "just another SUV" - it has several features that raise the level in the class.
As an electric car, the EL8 follows the same battery concept as the other NIO models. The cars can be delivered with one of the largest battery packs on the market with 100 kWh or one with 75 kWh. You can choose Battery-as-a-Service or buy the battery. If you choose Battery-as-a-Service, you are guaranteed a good battery for the entire life of the car. The service requires that there must always be spare batteries available, and that they can be replaced without problems. Seen in the light of sustainability, this is one of the best arguments against the claims that "electric cars end up as scrap when the battery no longer works".
NIO EL8 interior
I mentioned at the outset that the EL8 is not just another SUV. It stands out in several areas. One of the most important is that the car has a cw value of only 0,25. It is the same value as the BMW iX - and is considered the class leader for this type of car. When the air currents determine the appearance, the effects the manufacturer can afford are limited. NIO has come up with a sober and stylish design. The feeling of luxury can be found on the inside. It is a 6-seater with separate chairs in the two front rows. The materials in seat cushions, seat covers, door sides and roof covers are plant-based. NIO can make "suede" from plants! Furthermore, technical solutions have been developed with support for families. In addition to dog mode and camping mode, the car will alert you if you leave a child or pet in the car - and there are 4 ISOFIX mounts.
On the security side, there is a Smart Safety System which adapts the airbag and seat belts dynamically according to how the people are sitting and the severity of the collision.
NIO EL8 interior
ADAM and LIDAR
NIO is well advanced in developing computerized functions powered by the ADAM supercomputer together with the LIDAR sensors and cameras. Among other things, they are used to provide intelligent headlights that illuminate dark areas and reduce the effect of sharp backlighting. It is also worth mentioning that the car is equipped with an active double-chamber air suspension system that controls the suspension according to road conditions, speed and the driver's input.
From NOK 719
The car, similar to the one in the picture, can be viewed at NIO House in Oslo. NIO has promised that test drives will be possible from 5 August, although you can order the car now, with delivery in around 4 months. The price is from NOK 719 with Battery-as-a-Service to NOK 000 per month for a 1999 kWh battery and NOK 100 for a 1399 kWh battery. Range with the largest battery is 75 km WLTP and 510 km with the 390 kWh battery. Dual engine 75 kW/480 hp and four-wheel drive make it possible to do 652-0 in 100 seconds. If one had to point to something negative, it would have to be the car's size - especially the length, which is 4,1 cm.
Measure your garage before ordering!
NIO EL8.
See
NIO ET5 Touring and EL6 unveiledNIO ET5 – a good first impression
NINE ET7. NIO offers a safe battery solution. Photo: MikeMareen (Depositphotos.com)
Imagine that the high-voltage battery is damaged or stops working. You are happy with the car and want to keep it for many years. But when you ask for a new battery, you may be met with a "no".
New batteries in a used car?
To get to the point, that's not what this article is about whose who pays – whether it is the guarantee, the insurance or yourself. The problem is of a far more serious nature. It will probably not be possible to buy a new battery. You can buy one used battery from a damaged car, or an overhauled battery - or you can have your old battery overhauled. You can probably just forget about a new battery.
Tesla, Norway's best-selling electric car, guarantees the high-voltage batteries for 8 years or 160, 000 or 192 km, depending on the model. But the warranty says nothing about replacing it with one news battery. On Tesla's own pages, it is stated that you can get an overhauled battery. In practice, that is exactly what happens. There are several cases discussed in the media, where Tesla has replaced the battery under warranty, with a used – and perhaps overhauled – battery. When it fails again after an all-too-short lifetime, the warranty period has expired and the car may have acquired a new owner.
Imagine if your 5-year-old Tesla hits a rock and damages the batteries.
The situation is the same for all car manufacturers.
Many car buyers are concerned about battery life and how long warranties last. Few question whether they can really get one news battery should the need arise. It is taken for granted that all spare parts can be purchased throughout the normal life of the car.
Batteries age during storage
Whether high-voltage batteries can be obtained as spare parts is not much talked about. Nobody knows how big the demand will be, and very few car manufacturers have taken into account being able to supply batteries for 10-year-old cars. Mechanical and electrical spare parts can be stored for 15 years without problems. Batteries, on the other hand, is a chemical product that deteriorates on storage. In 15 years they will no longer be new. Then it may be that they are in a worse condition than the battery you want to replace it with.
Change to a newer battery?
If you have a current electric car that is 4-5 years old, your battery pack is probably already out of production. You cannot easily install batteries of a newer version in it from car, although the external dimensions are the same. You have to count on upgrades in the BMS (Battery Management System) and the possible replacement of several components. For example, if you are going to upgrade the Tesla 3 or Tesla Y from 75 kWh to 82 kWh, the chassis must also be upgraded. On a 4-5 year old car, the cost of all this will easily exceed the car's value.
Reproduce outdated battery packs?
There are no manufacturers that reproduce new battery packs for older cars. Setting up the production equipment is very expensive, and today a significant proportion of the batteries' cost. Keeping production lines to produce older batteries in small quantities for spare parts weakens both production capacity and profitability.
NIO ET5 Touring. Can upgrade battery pack in minutes.
A future requirement?
Will the future bring a storm of car owners wanting to change batteries? Will usable cars be sent for recycling due to lack of access to battery packs? If that happens, the environmental benefit of electric cars will be weakened, which could force demands from the authorities. However, the most important demand should come from the customers. It must be possible to obtain new spare parts during the cars' expected lifetime! And there are actually good ways to solve this – solutions that the car industry can be forced to follow.
Standards for batteries
Today, fortunately, there are standards with regard to charging contacts. One can imagine the same for batteries, similar to what we have today for batteries for household appliances - also rechargeable. A standard for battery packs may include physical dimensions, protocols and interfaces to cooling systems and control systems. The aim is for it to be possible to replace one battery with another – perhaps with different properties. Another important advantage of standardization is that it can open the way for independent suppliers to supply batteries in the aftermarket. You may not need the largest and most expensive batteries in an old electric car.
Replaceable batteries
Today, only NIO and Dongfeng have developed the technology and infrastructure to replace batteries outside the workshops. If the batteries can be replaced easily and inexpensively, car owners will be able to upgrade or downgrade batteries according to need and finances. NIO has introduced a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) concept that makes it possible to replace an empty battery with a full one in just 5 minutes – and thus not have to wait for charging. NIO owners with this scheme can also choose batteries with other characteristics – 75, 100 or 150 kWh – depending on needs and finances. Exchangeable battery schemes require the car manufacturer – or (in the future) independent battery suppliers – to have a selection of batteries available for replacement at all times.
The Volkswagen ID.4 will be current for many years
Stick to current car brands!
Standardization and replaceable batteries can help new car manufacturers enter new markets. If you buy one of the best-selling electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf, Tesla 3 or Tesla Y, you will always be able to have access to used batteries. If you hit the chassis hard on a sharp rock and damage the battery, it can be reassuring to know that the car can be repaired on the insurance. If you buy an unknown car brand that disappears or goes bankrupt after selling a few hundred cars, the accident could mean the end of the car.
The NIO EL6 can run on good batteries throughout its lifetime.
See
Rent or own batteries?NIO ET5 – a good first impressionNIO ET5 Touring and EL6 unveiled
Bring back the station wagon! I would like to be part of a popular movement that demands that the car manufacturers bring the station wagons back into their model ranges. Not only are they practical - they can also be very beautiful.
NIO ET5 Touring
"Beautiful" was the first word I thought when NIO Norge unveiled the ET5 Touring last night. NIO shows that practical electric cars don't have to look like butter boxes. A great design with large wheels, marked shoulders, and an elegant roof profile that ends in a sports car-like rear. The panoramic roof is stretched all the way back to the roof spoiler and reinforces the alignment.
NIO EL6
It was presented as a small SUV, but with a length of 4,85 meters it can probably be characterized as a rather large car - without being huge. The EL6 is built on the same platform as the ET5 Touring, and both have the same engine – a 150 Kw front induction motor and a 210 Kw rear permanent magnet motor with electronic 4-wheel drive – a total of 360 Kw or 490 hp. That's enough to place both cars in the "4 second club". The EL6 can do 0-100 in 4,5 seconds, while the ET5 Touring takes just 4,0 seconds.
Station wagon or SUV
The trend is clear all over the world. Station wagons are losing market share to SUVs, and it works regardless of whether they are electric cars or thermal cars. ET5 Touring and EL6 represent both model types. Looking at them together, you see that the ET5 Touring is sleeker, more sporty, but with 490 liters of luggage space (about the same as the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series) it falls short compared to the taller SUV which has 680 liters of luggage space . The ET5 Touring can tow a decent 1400kg on a trailer. The SUV EL6 is far from a "box car". Compared to the big ES8, it appears far more station wagon-like with the same fine lines as the ET5 Touring. The maximum trailer weight for the EL6 is 1200 kg - i.e. 200 kg less than the ET5 Touring. The choice between station wagon and SUV is not easy.
Prices
In terms of price, both cars cost below the VAT threshold of NOK 500 with BaaS (Battery as a Service). With a 000 kwh battery pack, the EL75 costs 6 plus a monthly rental of NOK 489, which includes 000 battery changes and 1399 kwh of electricity. If you choose the ET2 Touring, the price is NOK 200 - i.e. NOK 5 cheaper - with the same battery rental. With a 439 kwh battery pack, both cars get a weight tax surcharge of NOK 000 and battery rent of NOK 50 a month. It is worth mentioning the equipment packages which are on par with the most expensive car brands. I recommend the comfort package and "matrix" lighting, which dynamically adapts the light to the surroundings, - and an electric hitch is not to be despised, is it?
Ordering and delivery
You can pre-order the cars from today, and if I'm not mistaken, you get the comfort package with the purchase. Ordinary orders open from 1 August, and the estimated delivery time is Q4 this year.
The first images of the ET5 Touring
NIO ET5 Touring – driver's seat
NIO ET5 Touring – the trunk
NIO ET5 Touring. Can upgrade battery pack in minutes.
NIO ET5 Touring - rear seat
NIO EL6
NIO EL6 just revealed
NIO EL6 – the front interior
NIO EL6 – the rear interior
Both the EL6 and ET5 Touring come with rear seats that can fold down as 40-20-40..
Dashborder in EL6 follows NIO's 2-part design theme.
NIO EL6 – the trunk
See
OIL ET5Nine ET5 on Norwegian soilNIO House OsloNIO changes the battery in 3 minutes
On the NAF's practice track, you could test the 4-wheel drive.
On the same day that the first customers received their cars, I got a closer look at Nio's "little" newcomer. Here are my first impressions.
New models from Nio
Nio's currently smallest model is far from a small car, but small compared to the other models from Nio and the first low-built car in a sedan version. Prices start from 426 with Battery-as-a-Service and 000 with the smallest battery of 531 kwh. This is a popular price range where you get a long range and four-wheel drive. Nio ET500 shares a user interface with the larger models, including the excellent system for voice control. according to Marius Hayler, Managing Director, NIO Norway, Nio will soon launch three new models that will further complement the model range.
Nio ET5 can be delivered in 9 different colours. Oddly enough, it was nicest in black, I think.
look and feel
When you unlock the car, the door handles slide out. The doors close with "soft-close". Inside you can choose 4 colours. Several of the cars had a bright interior with a Flux-like green tone. Inside, the full panoramic roof creates a good sense of space. The seats seemed firm, and I quickly found a good driving position. With the comfort package you get seats with heating, ventilation and massage. The user interface is screen-based as on the Tesla, with a multifunction steering wheel, as well as voice control. The interior is modern and minimalist, where advanced mood lighting and premium music systems can help create a special atmosphere. In evening lighting, the mood lighting can be made to move in time with the music. Just ask Nomi!
The NIO ET5 has a modern, stylish and minimalist interior.
Behind the wheel
There are 6 different driving programs, Sport+, Sport, Comfort, Eco and Snow, Trailer, as well as a custom one. Soon there will also be a driving program for sand and wet roads. Driving around NAF's closed practice track didn't give a proper road feel, but my general impression is that the car seems firm like a Tesla without tipping and dove. The steering feel was good and at low speed the systems kept the car stable in tight evasive manoeuvres. The four-wheel drive system engaged seamlessly. Nio ET5 can stop from 100 km/h in just 33,8 meters and on the smooth sections the speed was reduced quickly without any drama.
Equipped for self-driving functions
I have not familiarized myself with the car's self-driving features, but the ET5 is equipped with 7 high-resolution cameras, 4 surround cameras, LIDAR, radar, ultrasonic sensors and more. I tested self-parking and it worked impressively. Firstly, the system could mark all parking spaces on the screen, and maneuver the car to the desired space, even if it was several car lengths away.
The Nio ET5 has brake calipers made by Nio. Larger models have Brembo brakes.
The rear part is successful. Looks like a hatchback, but is a regular sedan. Visibility to the rear through the rear window is limited.
Say hello to Nomi!
Nomi is Nio's version of the Apple Homebox. You can ask Nomi anything about the car - and probably a bit more, if she's in the mood. She can hear who is speaking. If the passenger requests a massage, she starts the massage in the passenger seat. The voice control works well, and enables the driver to stay focused on the road. It is perfect for those of us who need reading glasses to read the screen. In the Nio ET5, it is optional equipment to have Nomi "Humanized" with its characteristic eyes visible on the dashboard. In the standard version, Nomi is "Simplified" without eyes. Understandably, some people find that it can be disturbing that someone follows them all the time. Did you know that Nomi actually stands for "know me"?
Almost everyone rents batteries
According to Marius Hayler, 96 percent of customers have chosen to rent batteries - Battery-as-a-Service. That is a surprisingly high proportion, especially when you consider that most Norwegians might want to own. Those who rent can use it Power Swap along the road. It only takes 5 minutes to change the batteries. Another aspect of renting batteries is that the rent includes 200 kwh per month from Nios Power Swap or Power Charge stations. Today there are 4 stations, but that number could rise to approximately 20, based on obtaining building permits.
Comes with a 150 kwh battery
It is also worth mentioning that battery hire allows you to change the battery size as needed. Today you get a 75 kwh or 100 kwh battery, while Nio's large 150 kwh battery will soon be rolled out in China. The Nio ET5 is prepared for these batteries, so if you rent a 100 kwh battery today, you can upgrade to 150 kwh – probably before the end of the year. Also consider that even if you, as the first owner, do not need the largest battery, the next owner is free to choose. That could make Nio attractive on the used market.
The Nio ET5 is larger and has more equipment than the Tesla Model 3 (Terjes Bilers' reportage car).
Facts about the NIO ET5 100kwh
Weights and Measures
Length, width, height: 479 x 191 x 150 cm
Wheelbase: 289 cm
Net weight without driver: 2160 kg
Luggage compartment: 386 liters (no "Frunk")
Max trailer weight: 1400 kg
Range
Battery capacity 100 kwh: Range: 590 km WLTP
Performances
Total power: 489 HP
Torque: 700 Nm
0-100: 4,0 seconds
Top speed: 200 km/h
Prices 100 kwh (incl. taxes)
Battery-as-a-Servce: NOK 426 + NOK 250 per month
Including batteries: NOK 629
Recommended accessories
Electric towbar: 9*
Comfort package: 12*
-Heated steering wheel.
-Electrically adjustable front seats with adjustable lumbar and thigh support.
-Front seat with ventilation and massage.
-Seat heating in the back.
- Fragrance system
-Air purifier/ionization system
Winter tires: 32
Can be ordered online. Delivery time approx. 4 months.
*Stated price without VAT. All or part of the amount is subject to VAT if the total exceeds 500.
The "outgrowths" on the roof are LIDAR in the middle and cameras on each side. Provides a good overview, and that the equipment is better protected against damage than if it had been placed in the front.
The trunk takes 386 litres. The rear seats are foldable. No "miss".
See
Nine ET5 on Norwegian soilNIO House OsloNIO changes the battery in 3 minutes
The ET5 is NIO's first model to fall below the VAT limit. Now the first delivery of cars has arrived in Norway for unpacking and preparation.
If I remember correctly, the time of the cars' arrival agrees well with what I was told a year ago. Asbjørn Mitusch, press spokesman for NIO Norway, will not reveal the date for when the first cars will be delivered, but states that it will happen during this month. At the moment, the cars are being prepared at Birger N. Haug's facility in Røyken.
Fits Tesla Model 3
The NIO ET5 is interesting because it can match the "people's car" Tesla Model 3 in almost every respect. Tesla 3 is known for a lot of range and 4-wheel drive without costing the shirt, but is built like a cheap car. Inside, the Tesla can seem ribbed and it is rarely difficult to point out poor finish. On paper, the NIO ET5 can match Tesla in all important areas such as price, performance, charging and range. In addition, NIO can score on a higher standard equipment level and premium feel.
Below the VAT limit
All NIO models can optionally be supplied with Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS). Then you rent the batteries instead of buying them. The price for the NIO ET5 without batteries is NOK 429. Then you can add equipment such as tow hitch, comfort package, winter wheels and still end up well below the VAT limit. This makes it even more attractive to rent batteries, even if the rental price is also subject to VAT. Battery-as-a-Service includes the option to change batteries along the way and always have good batteries, even after several years. You can also change the battery capacity/range as needed.
Facts about the NIO ET5 (AWD)
Weights and Measures
Length, width, height: 479 x 191 x 150 cm
Wheelbase: 289 cm
Net weight without driver: 2140 – 2160 kg
Range
Battery capacity 75 kwh: Range: 419 – 456 km
Battery capacity 100 kwh: Range: 540 – 590 km
Performances
Total power: 489 HP
Torque: 700 Nm
0-100: 4,0 seconds
Top speed: 200 km/h
Prices 75 kwh
Battery-as-a-Service: 429 + 000 per month
Including batteries: 541
Prices 100 kwh
Battery-as-a-Servce: 429 + 250 per month
Including batteries: 629
Recommended accessories
Towbar (1400 kg): 9*
Comfort package: 12*
-Heated steering wheel.
-Electrically adjustable front seats with adjustable lumbar and thigh support.
-Front seat with ventilation and massage.
-Seat heating in the back.
- Fragrance system
-Air purifier/ionization system
Winter tires: 32
Delivery time: Approx. 4 months
*Stated price without VAT. All or part of the amount is subject to VAT if the total exceeds 500.
See
Nio ET5 – a good first impressionNIO House OsloNIO changes the battery in 3 minutes
NIO is the only supplier of battery rental with replaceable batteries
You buy one NIO you can choose between owning or renting batteries. Currently, this is the only car manufacturer that offers battery rental. Renault ended the scheme in 2021. Leie never took off very well in Norway.
Should be able to change batteries
Renault Zoe and Kangoo ZE were electric car pioneers. When Zoe appeared in 2012, there was not much experience with how long the batteries would last. Evil tongues said that when the batteries were exhausted, the only thing to do was scrap the car. Renault offered battery rental to assure customers that they would never have to worry about just that. Another point was to be able to offer upgraded batteries with better range - when the time came. But when Renault came out with a 41 kwh battery it was not practically possible for owners of cars with a 22 kwh battery to switch. Thus, one of the advantages of renting batteries fell away.
NIO changes the battery in 5 minutes
Changing the battery on an electric car normally takes a full working day - maybe more. When the Møller chain had to change the battery boxes on its hybrid cars, the cars had to be in the workshop for 3-4 days. Tesla considered for a while making arrangements for exchangeable batteries but decided against it. Chinese D were probably the first to offer replaceable batteries in their model Aeolus E70 when it came as a 2017 model. NIO is, in comparison, a completely new car brand. They change batteries in 5 minutes from their own "battery swap" stations - the first recently set up at Kjellstad on Lier outside Drammen. NIO owners can drive by to have their discharged battery replaced with a fully charged one.
Battery as a service
Battery replacement is reserved for NIO owners who leier batteries. It is a kind of subscription - Baas (Battery as a Service). The concept not only ensures that you save time on charging, but you always get a good battery - even when the car is 10 years old.
Renault Zoe ZE 40 (Photo: Tania Sohlman/Scanstockphoto.com)
Do you need to change the battery?
Renault justified its termination of battery rental by saying that it was not necessary. There were practically no cars that needed a new battery. Tesla is experiencing the same thing – rightly so after a period of production errors. In any case, the batteries will gradually lose capacity after many charges, but that can be accepted with a car that is starting to age. Although there is currently no exact answer, since few modern electric cars have managed to be over 10 years old.
The problem with the oldest electric cars today is not that the batteries have run out of capacity, but that the original batteries had too little capacity. Early models such as the BMW i3, Mercedes B Electric, Nissan Leaf and Volkswagen e-Golf with a range of around 160 km do not keep up with today's electric cars. However, the cars could have been given a new lease of life if it were possible to upgrade the batteries with more powerful battery packs.
The NIO ES8 can be purchased with or without a battery
Always the latest battery technology
The NIO ES8 can either be delivered with a 75 kwh battery or a 100 kwh battery. By renting batteries, you can change your subscription during the life of the car. If you don't need 100 kwh, you can downgrade to 75 for lower rent. The biggest advantage of NIO's scheme is that you can upgrade to newer battery technology. In quarter 4 (2022) NIO has said that they will come with a solid state battery of 150 kwh. Dongfeng E70 was launched with solid state batteries earlier this year, so there is every reason to have faith in NIO's plans. What is impressive is that cars with "old" battery packs should be able to upgrade to solid state - for now, a promise made for the sedan version ET7.
Profitability
If we look at it soberly, few electric cars will need to change the battery pack more than once during a lifetime of 15-20 years - most will get by with none. We take NIO ES8 Signature as an example, the following prices are available:
Car only: 609
Rental of battery 75 kwh: 1399 per month
Rental of battery 100 kwh: 1999 per month
Buy battery 75 kwh: 90
Buy battery 100 kwh: 160
Work to replace battery: 0
Keep the car for 5 years
Car with 100 kwh battery:
Purchase price without battery: NOK 609
– with battery: NOK 769
Assuming a car purchase financed with 35% cash and a 5-year loan with a loan interest rate of 2,95% pa
Monthly cost upon purchase: NOK 9
Monthly rental expense: NOK 9 (car: NOK 232 + battery: NOK 7)
-75 kwh battery:
Purchase price without battery: NOK 609
– with battery: NOK 699.
Assuming a car purchase financed with 35% cash and a 5-year loan with a loan interest rate of 2,95% pa
Monthly cost upon purchase: NOK 8
Monthly rental expense: NOK 8 (car: NOK 632 + battery: NOK 7)
The monthly sums are about the same. Profitability here is determined by what the sale/trade-in price will end up at. How will secondary market buyers value the battery rental scheme?
The Dongfeng E70 offers both replaceable batteries and – from this year – solid state battery technology. Not sold in Norway. Source: dongfeng.cn
Save instead of rent
After 5 years, the car will be paid off. Given that whoever chose to purchase the batteries, continue to spare corresponding rental amount to accommodate a battery change when the car is 15 years old. The savings will yield the following sums - given that the savings rate is 0,35% pa:
Savings for a 100 kwh battery:
10 years of savings with monthly payments of NOK 2 (equivalent to rent for a 000 kwh battery) will yield NOK 100. A 244 kwh battery costs NOK 278 today, but will probably cost quite a bit more in 100 years.
Savings for a 75 kwh battery:
10 years of savings with monthly payments of NOK 1 (equivalent to rent for a 400 kwh battery) will yield NOK 75. A 170 kwh battery currently costs NOK 994, but is expected to cost more in 75 years.
Noted in the margin
NIO's battery rental under the "BaaS" scheme consists of 2 free battery changes per month with 200 kwh of free electricity. Until recently, the first customers of the NIO ES8 received a pioneering package which included, among other things, 6 free battery changes per month. This has stimulated many to choose to rent rather than own.
The battery changes in the example are based on the fact that NIO can change the battery without an expensive workshop visit. For all other electric cars on the market, a battery change will take at least one day at a workshop - which we estimate at NOK 20 or more. This is in addition to the battery prices.
Even if you save for a possible battery replacement, many will find it unprofitable to carry out a battery replacement on a car that is, for example, 15 years old. The car will then very likely be worth less than the cost of switching. In this way, the owner can count the residual value of the car as lost. Seen from a life cycle perspective, this is a cost to take with you in favor of renting batteries.
Interior ambiance in NIO ET7
See
NIO House OsloCan the electric car benefits finance the electric car?Upgrade anxiety
This is a new trend for promoting new cars: You open a "lounge" or "lobby" where people can come in and warm up with a cup of coffee or something similar, read a bit on their mobile phone or chat. Inside this idyll there are also a couple of nice cars...
Snobbish location at the Grand Hotel
NIO could hardly have chosen a better place to profile itself. NIO House is located on the first floor of the former Hotel Nobel on Karl Johan, right next to Grand Café and Bjerke Urmaker. In warm lighting with visibility from Karl Johans gate, supercars such as the NIO EVE and EP9 can be glimpsed. On the other side of the hotel entrance is a coffee bar in the same style and colours.
welcome inside
You don't need to show a membership card or business-class ticket to let yourself into the heat. Around the cars, there are "supervisors" - not pushy salespeople. Once you have familiarized yourself with the car (currently only ES8), you can order a test drive. You should have done that in advance - online. For now, the only location is NIO House Oslo centre. Many would probably prefer a more open landscape for their first drive in a large, electric SUV.
Currently only ES8
The NIO ES8 is just over 5 meters long, almost 2 meters wide and weighs 2,4 tonnes. The SUV is a typical representative of the "gigantomania" that is ravaging the car market. If you take a closer look at the car - a Signature 6 seater - there is little doubt that it belongs in the premium segment. The price tag of 609 seems almost ridiculously low. That's because the batteries are not included. You have to add 000 for the "standard range" batteries of 90 kwh and 000 for the "long range". With 75 kWh, the car has a range of 160 km (WLTP).
The NIO ES8 can be purchased with or without a battery
Full 'recliner' in the passenger seatTasteful and luxurious interior in NIO ES8
Battery as a service
The concept is that NIO ensures that the car has power on the batteries. If you choose to leie batteries instead of owning them, you can benefit from NIO's "battery swap" stations that will be placed in a network. The first has already arrived at Kjellstad, where the "Lierbommen" was located. You can drive in there and change to a fully charged battery in 5 minutes. In China, other services are also offered, such as someone picking up your car, charging it for you, and putting it back in its place. Or that there will be a "charging van" where a guy puts your car on charge and has a smoke while your batteries are being recharged.
Can open up new opportunities
NIO's extended battery service can open up new possibilities. According to one of the customer advisors, most people choose to rent batteries. Those who choose the NIO ES8 Signature LR thus get a car in the top luxury segment for "only" NOK 609. Included in the price is a home charger (without assembly). In addition, the battery rent is NOK 000 per month - or NOK 1999 for the "standard range". The rent gives access to 1399 kwh and 200 free battery changes per month in the "battery bow". It will be interesting to see how this develops. Tesla considered both battery rental and battery replacement - but decided against it. Renault Zoe has battery rental as an "option" - but that did not attract Norwegian customers.
NIO ET7 is 5,09 meters long with a range of 1000 kmRent or own batteries?
OIL ET7
The sedan version ET7 on display in NIO House is a one-of-a-kind. They will be rolled out to the first customers in China in a few weeks. Currently, no one is registered in Norway. We don't know much about it other than that it is 5,09 meters long (!) and has a stated drag coefficient that is as good as the latest Tesla S and almost as good as the Mercedes-Benz EQS. The range with a 100 kwh battery is stated to be 1000 km (NEDC).
ES6 and ET5 could become big sellers
The ES6 is 4,85 meters long and is only offered as a 5-seater. It has been in production for over two years, but will not arrive in Norway until 2023. Then the NIO ET5 will also arrive, which - if the price is right - could become a "Tesla 3 killer". The Tesla 3, produced in Shanghai, is currently hugely popular in China. All Tesla 3 and Tesla Y imported into Norway today are manufactured in Shanghai.
The world's fastest electric car – NIO EP9
The special cars
The NIO EP9 is the world's fastest electric car. It does 0-100 in 2,9 seconds – enough to inhibit the blood supply to the head. The future car NIO EVE is a self-driving prototype that was shown for the first time in 2017. Then it was said that the model would be put into production in 2020. That did not happen. The world is probably not yet ready for cars where all 6 passengers can sit facing each other without anyone having to drive. The entire roof is transparent, but the side windows contain controllable "pigments" to prevent visibility and keep the sun out.
If you are visiting Oslo, it is recommended to pay a visit to NIO House. Soon they will also come to Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim and Kristiansand.
In the same family – NIO EP9 super sports car and NIO ES8Interior concept in a fully self-driving prototype – NIO EVE
BYD Dolphin – promising compact electric car from China that might be brought into Norway? (source: www.bydauto.com.cn)
A year ago I wrote about Chinese cars under the title «The Chinese are coming!» Then the share of Chinese cars was insignificant. If we look at the registration statistics, 30% of all electric cars are Chinese - and the percentage is rising *)
The very first Chinese electric cars
Just one year ago - in December 2020 - Chinese cars were something completely new. BMW had started production of its new iX3 in Shenyang. Polestar 2 had been delivered to the very first customers. MG ZSEV had just started delivering cars. Xpeng had just entered the market but had not yet delivered any cars. Looking at the registration statistics one year later, the Polestar 2 comes in 11th place, the MG ZS EV in 17th place, the BMW iX3 in 20th place and the Xpeng G3 in 42nd place. The model that surprises the most in terms of statistics is MG. It gives a lot of car for the money. The first customers complained about poor winter range, but that problem is probably fixed in the software. Polestar was predicted to reach the top of the sales charts, but was overtaken by other, new models. BMW iX3 is one SUV, but have lost out that it cannot be delivered with 4-wheel drive. XPeng G3 has managed to gain a foothold in the electric car market.
Today's Teslas come from China
Tesla accounts for the largest increase in Chinese cars. Tesla Model Y and Model 3 top the sales lists and from this summer both models were taken in from Tesla's new factory in Shanghai. Tesla currently accounts for half of China-imported electric cars. The transition from California to Shanghai has happened quietly. It is not certain that new Tesla owners know that they have received a Chinese car? There is also no increased dissatisfaction with Chinese cars compared to those made in California. What's more, the Tesla Model 3 has never been cheaper than it is today. The differences between cars from the US and China may not be that great. Probably different suppliers of steel, as well as the fact that Tesla has announced that they have changed the software to be able to use Chinese-made electronic chips - although it is possible that those changes have also been introduced in the US.
What happened to the news from last year?
A year ago we trawled Chinese websites to find news about exports to Europe (Norway) - and who was responsible for the imports here at home. We could talk about projects before they were official, and we also made some speculations of our own.
BYD and Maxus
BYD Tang – new electric SUV with large battery and high performance (source: www.bydauto.com.cn)
Both brands are brought into Norway by RSA Bil. THE WORLD OF Tang is an exciting piece of news that has just gone on sale. It is in 14th place among sold electric cars in November. We also predicted that BYD HAN could find an audience in Norway - as a competitor to the Tesla S. But it seems that most people prefer SUVs. Maxus Euniq 5 is more MPV than SUV. It is a 7-seater that offers a lot of space for the money, but loses out on a low range, tricky towing weight and no 4-wheel drive. In the list of electric cars sold so far this year, it ends up in 49th place.
Xpeng
Charging complications in SwedenXpeng P7 (source: www.xiaopeng.com)
Not only is Xpeng a new brand - there is also a start-up company behind it. – Zero Emission Mobility. Xpeng has managed to become an established brand, and their first model in Norway – the G3 – is to be seen out on the roads. A year ago we speculated whether the Xpeng P7 would also be included. It is now on its way in. The first cars have been registered and Xpeng can become a competitor to the Tesla Model 3. Perhaps it will be easier to win acceptance for the Xpeng P7 as the Tesla 3 is also produced in China. And there are probably going to be a lot of Tesla 3s on the road. A whimsical feature of the top model is front doors that swing up at the front à la Lamborghini. XPeng calls it "Peng Wing".
The Gill group and DFSK
A year ago, everything indicated that the brands DFSK and Seres from the Dongfeng Motor Group were ready to be taken in by the Gill group and distributed through the same dealer network that sells Subaru. 2 DFSK Seres 3 have been taken in during 2021, but the websites for the brands have been removed. It became known that the Gill group did not want to bring in a new Subaru in 2021 due to the lack of plug-in cars in the model range. Now, however, Subaru has announced that they will come with an electric car during 2023 - which can be ordered in 2022. Perhaps DFSK and Seres could come into competitive conflict with Subaru's new electric car? The DFSK Seres 3 is a model that is the size of the Nissan Qashqai and can compete with the MG ZS, Peugeot e-2008 and Opel Mokka. It is a type of car that should be well suited for the Norwegian market.
We speculated whether anyone in Norway would be interested in Chery. Some had plans for Chery, namely the RSA chain that sells BYD and Maxus. But since no Chery has been registered during 2021, it may take more than a year before Chery appears on the Norwegian market.
NIO
NIO ES8 – new model this year can change battery pack in 3 minutes (in China)
A year ago I wrote that NIO had no Norwegian representative, but that had they - or got established soon after we wrote about them. In China, NIO has developed a network of battery stations where car owners get changed battery in 3 minutes. It will be exciting to see how this is introduced in Norway. However, I guessed wrong as to which model would come to Norway first. I guessed ES6, but this year 147 of the largest model, the NIO ES8, have been taken in.
Hengchi and Hongqi
Hongqi E-HS9Hongqi a770There was a lot of money and big plans in motion when the newly started company Hengchi announced that they would start production of no less than 6 different models as early as August 2021. Now the start of production has been postponed to 2022. Hengchi will offer cars in the luxury class, probably in the million range and has no Norwegian representatives. When I wrote about Hengchi, I checked Hongqi [hå:sji] ("red flags"), - the big dictator's car that once transported Mao Tse Tung. Hongqi has previously made two models which in status and style were very reminiscent of Russian ZILs. The FAW group (First Automotive Works) is behind Hongqi. The company was formed during the communist era with technical expertise from the Russians. Never would I have thought that a Hongqi model would be taken into Norway! Primarily because of the brand's pompous character, - inspired by the pompous cars of yesteryear. But Norwegians love big SUVs. With a length well over 5 meters and a width of 2,01, the Hongqi E-HS9 is a model that can primarily offer the Audi e-tron competition - for those who are brave enough. Hongqi is brought into Norway by HBI Norge - a company in The Motor Group which, among other things, is known as an importer of Mitsubishi.
Increases diversity
Hongqi has an exterior reminiscent of a car Uncle Skrue might own. In a world where all cars look the same – shaped by wind tunnels – the Hongqi E-HS9 stands out as an original and fun design concept. It is also interesting to see that China has also received several new car projects - aimed at narrow groups. One such project is Songsan Motors, which has previously created a modern clone of the 50s Mercury Monterey. Now they are out with new models based on the Chevy Corvette C1. The cars have modern hybrid drive systems and safety adapted to today's requirements. It's not just about a style study, but fully drivable cars produced at one of BYD's factories. The pictured model will cost $160 in the US. If it were a pure electric car, you could buy it here without taxes.
Songsan Dolphin has drivetrain and undercarriage from BYD's parts warehouse. Currently, there is little information about the project. The car's hybrid drive is based on a 1,5 liter petrol engine and an electric motor. The battery capacity is 16 kwh. Length and width are respectively 480×185 cm. Thus, it is at least 30 cm longer than the original Chevy Corvette.
BYD Dolphin (source: www.bydauto.com.cn)TerjeWe offer one more photo of the BYD Dolphin (Zoe size). The special thing about this car is that it has an LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery. Two battery sizes, 30 kwh or 45 kwh. The BYD Dolphin is also adapted for 800V charging, which, according to the manufacturer, enables the car to receive electricity for 144 km (90 miles) in just 5 minutes. And if I'm being completely honest, I would be very skeptical about spending three quarters of a mill on an unknown car brand from China. But I wouldn't have any problems with a car for 200 - which the BYD Dolphin may end up with if it goes on sale in Norway.
*) The claim "every 3rd electric car is Chinese" is based on registration figures from elbilstatistikk.no for the entire month of November up to and including 7 December 2021. That the trend is rising is based on figures from the last two weeks. The figures are, however, affected by Tesla's delivery times, which happen in batches.
There are 145 stations like this where NIO owners can change their battery pack in 3 minutes. Source: NIO.com
3 months ago we wrote about the Chinese car brand NIO, which is shooting up the Chinese sales charts. We then wrote that the brand had no Norwegian representative. Now they have - NIO Norway.
The automobile industry in China has a huge domestic market. So big that Western car manufacturers have established their own factories for the Chinese market, and of course there are many Chinese brands we have barely heard of here at home, which produce cars at high speed to meet domestic demand. China has introduced a "New Energy" program to stimulate the production of zero-emission cars. This has provided good conditions for the development of models that are also interesting for Norway.
Chinese cars at full speed to Norway
For now, it seems that it is Chinese MG, XPeng, BYD and Maxus that have gained a hold on the buyers. The model series DFSK and Seres from Dongeng-Sokon will soon be sold through the Gill/Subaru chain. RøhneSelmer was relevant for a while as a dealer, but seems to have withdrawn. The former luxury car brand Hongqi is in the process of establishing car sales in Norway. NIO is currently the last brand to have a Norwegian representative.
The NIO ES6 is an electric SUV with 4-wheel drive and a large battery pack
NIO Norway
The company was registered earlier this month (March 2021). The general manager is Marius Hayler who until recently was general manager of BC Norway - importer of Jaguar and Land Rover. Considering the success of the Jaguar I-Pace, it's safe to say that Hayler has succeeded in bringing an electric car outsider high up the sales charts. NIO Norway is currently a newly started small company apparently subject to a European umbrella organisation. But NIO Norway is not without importance. According to press reports, it is Norway that has been designated as NIO's first export market. It is currently uncertain how the company will organize marketing, sales and follow-up.
Last year, NIO came out with the model ES6. This year, a larger model, the ES8, has been launched. Both can be delivered with either a 70 kw or 100 kw battery – on par with Tesla's largest battery. NIO has announced that it plans to launch a 150 kw "solid state" battery in Q4 2022 for its new self-driving "Tesla-killer" ET7. Car owners with 70 and 100 kW batteries will be able to upgrade their cars with the new super battery. If this is true, NIO will be one of the very first to offer "solid state" battery technology - and the first electric car manufacturer to make it possible to upgrade battery packs.
Battery change in 3 minutes
Many electric car manufacturers have talked about upgrading battery packs - but so far this has been science fiction. NIO has made it possible to change batteries in a short time. In China there are 145 drive-in stations where NIO owners can change the battery pack in 3 minutes! The service is designed as an alternative to fast charging. Instead of waiting 20-30 minutes to charge, you can drive on with a fully charged battery after 3 minutes. According to NIO's own video, everything happens automatically, but in reality some manual work is required. For example, you may not reverse the car yourself into the exchange station. Admittedly, there is one machine which unscrews the battery, but in the video below you can clearly see a man in the background controlling a lever or similar. The switch itself takes 3 minutes, provided there is no one in front of you in the queue - and provided the station has fully charged batteries available. Each station can only have 14 battery packs inside at the same time. In practice, there can sometimes be long waiting times for this service.
Hardly for Norway
Changing batteries "on the go" is hardly something you should do unless you don't leier battery packs. Who wants to replace the battery pack from their new car to continue driving with the battery pack from a 2 year old taxi? Renault is one of the car manufacturers that has come the furthest in offering battery rental. It is available in the rest of Europe, but not in Norway. We prefer to hey - not rent.
Extended service offer in China
Like Tesla, NIO offers free roadside charging via its own charging network. They can build that up in Norway as well. But one of the offers that is unlikely to be implemented in Norway is a mobile charging service where car owners can order charging via one touch of a button regardless of where they are. Then the electricity is supplied from a van - one electric van of course. Another service is "24/7 On-Call Valet Charging", where someone will pick up the car and return it with a fully charged battery. With the well-developed charging networks we have in Norway, it is difficult to see any need for anything other than self-service charging stations.
It will be interesting to follow the development in NIO. Maybe in two years we can buy premium electric cars with "solid state" battery technology and a range of 1000 km?
Interior ambiance in the "Tesla killer" NIO ET7. Source: NIO.com
Facts
NIO ES6 100 kw
Range converted to WLTP: 480-520 km
Range NEDC: 610 km
544 HK
0-100: 4,7 sec.
NIO ES8 100 kw
Range converted to WLTP: 460-500 km
Range NEDC: 580 km
544 HK
0-100: 4,9 sec.
NIO ES8 – new model this year can change the battery pack in 3 minutes
See
Nio ET5 – a good first impressionUpgrade anxietyThe Chinese are coming!
