Electric cars in the premium class (Audi and BMW) with the option to switch to fully charged batteries along the way in a few minutes. The cars are manufactured in China and handled in Norway by NIO Norge.
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
The DFSK SERES SF5 is a crossover with a powerful battery pack and high performance that will arrive in Norway in 2021 (source: dfsk.com)
China's "New Energy" is forcing Chinese car manufacturers to switch to rechargeable cars. The transformation of the vehicle fleet in Norway means that new Chinese electric cars find their way here before other western countries.
Made in China
It is not certain that the dealers state that the new BMW iX3 is produced by Brilliance in Shenyang or that the Volvo XC60 is now produced in Chengdu together with Polestar. Other European car models are also fully produced in China, such as the Mercedes EQC, Volkswagen ID.4, Audi e-tron, Volvo XC40 Recharge and Tesla Model 3 – to stick to electric cars. These models are produced in China only to meet demand in the Chinese domestic market.
Chinese class trip
It is no secret that China has enjoyed formidable economic growth since the turn of the century. In 2019, 21 million cars were produced, of which only 3% went for export. The internal car market in China is unbelievably large, and Chinese people with strong purchasing power will not settle for anything. In addition, the Chinese authorities have introduced regulations with regard to "Corporate average fuel consumption and new energy". It is a program that will gradually switch domestic car production to "New Energy". The goal for 2020 is for 12% of all vehicles produced to be powered by electricity or hydrogen. Today, China is one of the fastest growing markets for rechargeable cars.
Much in common with Norway
It is the demand for electric cars that makes Chinese cars interesting in Norway. Today, Chinese car models are sent to Norway as the first western exporting country. Several completely new models are already in the focus of Norwegian players and may appear on Norwegian roads during 2021.
BYD Han – battery pack of 76,9 Kwh. Supplied with either front-wheel drive or dual motor four-wheel drive (source: www.bydauto.com.cn)
BYD
BYD (Build Your Dreams) has already gained a foothold in Norway, primarily through the new electric-powered articulated buses that run in Oslo. BYD's commercial and passenger cars are distributed in Norway via RSA Car. The model range currently consists of a van and an SUV - BID T3 og THE WORLD OF Tang. Norway is the first western export country for these models. THE WORLD OF Tang is a full-size electric SUV with a large battery, long range and Tesla performance. The red sedan in the picture is a Tesla S "look-a-like" which is not imported to Norway - for now. BYD Inn ended up in 4th place among sold electric cars in China in October. This is one of several Chinese models that can give Tesla competition in Norway, given that the price is "right".
BYD Inn
Available as Luxury (FWD), Premium (FWD) and AWD
Battery capacity: 76,9 Kwh
Range:
– FWD: 605 km NEDC
– AWD: 550 km NEDC
Engine:
– FWD – Front: 218 HP, 330 Nm
– AWD – Front: 218 HP, 330 Nm – Rear: 268 HP, 350 Nm
0-100: 7,9s (FWD), 3,9s (AWD)
Length, width, height in cm: 498 x 191 x 150
Wheelbase: 292 cm
Not taken into Norway - but BYD has a Norwegian representative
Atmospheric interior in BYD Han – one of several Chinese Tesla challengersBYD Tang – new electric SUV with large battery and high performance (source: www.bydauto.com.cn)
THE WORLD OF Tang
Length, width, height in cm: 487 x 195 x 172
Wheelbase: 282 cm
Battery capacity: 86,4 kWh
Range NEDC: 505 km
Engine: 509 HP, 610 Nm, 4WD
0-100: 4,6 seconds,
Top speed: 180 km/h
Own weight: 2295 kg
Max trailer weight: 1410 kg
Price in Norway: 599
SAIC Maxus
Maxus is represented in Norway through RSA Car. The vans e-Deliver 3 and EV80 have had the greatest success. Among other things, Posten and Bring have bought several cars. The Maxus Euniq 5 is a 7-seater passenger car for 400 which also comes with green plates. It is undoubtedly a lot of car for the money.
The Maxus Euniq 5 is sold as a 7-seater or on green labels (source: www.maxus.com)
Maxus Euniq 5
Length, width, height in cm: 482 x 182 x 179
Wheelbase: 280 cm
Battery capacity: 52,5 kWh
Range according to the factory: 260 km WLTP (combined) and 356 km (urban).
Engine: 177 HP, 310 Nm, front wheel drive
Top speed: 160km/h
Own weight: 1810 kg
Number of seats: 7
Max trailer weight: 400 kg
Price in Norway: 399
The MG ZS EV was the best-selling Chinese electric car model in Norway in 2020. Sold through Norwegian dealers.
MG ZS
Length, width, height in cm: 431 x 181 x 164
Wheelbase: 259 cm
Seats: 5
Engine: 141 HP, 353 Nm, FWD
Top speed: 140 km/h
0-100: 8,2 seconds
Battery capacity: 44,5 Kwh
Range: 263 km WLTP
Trailer not possible
Price in Norway (Comfort): 239
– (Luxury): 259
MG is an independent car brand produced by SAIC in Shanghai. MG is alive and well on the Chinese market. There are several models, most on fossil fuel. MG, like other Chinese car brands, must offer vehicles with "New Energy". The MG ZS is the company's first electric car. The cars are brought into Norway by Norwegian Mobility Group AS which is affiliated with the Subaru importer, the Gill Group. The MG ZS is sold, among other things, through the dealer chain Birger N Haug.
Xpeng – cars and clothes from China
Xpeng is considered China's 10th largest electric car manufacturer. This summer, the Norwegian importer ordered 100 cars of the G3 model. Norway is the car brand's first export country and opening to the European market - something that was highlighted in the Chinese press. Xpeng is taken into Norway by Zero Emission Mobility. The company was founded by the people behind it Norwegian Bunader who have been successful by sewing Norwegian bunads in China. Today, cars and clothes are imported from the same premises.
Xpeng G3 (source:xiapeng.com)
XPeng G3
Length, width, height in cm: 445 x 182 x 161
Wheelbase: 263 cm
Seats: 5
Engine: 194 HP, 300 Nm, FWD
Battery capacity: 66,5 Kwh
Range: 451 km WLTP
Trailer not possible
Price in Norway (G3 Smart): 358
– (G3 Premium): 379
New production facility
The XPeng G3 was put into production in 2018 at Haima (Hainan and Mazda) as part of the state-owned car group FAW Group. This summer, Xpeng opened its own production facility in Zhaoqing. The all-new model P7 is now produced at this facility. The P7 has performance and range completely on par with the Tesla Model 3. It also looks very good. In recent months, the new model has outsold the G3 in China.
Xpeng P7 – The Tesla challenger
Currently only sold in China, but since Xpeng has a Norwegian distributor, it is not inconceivable that it will appear here at home. The P7 can be delivered in four versions – two with rear-wheel drive and two with four-wheel drive. The two with rear-wheel drive have a range of 586 km and 706 km (!). The versions with four-wheel drive and dual motor have a range of 562 km. The top model "Peng Wing" has doors that tilt upwards like on a Lamborghini. An obvious courtship to Tesla customers. The P7 also offers self-driving technology. According to rumours, a former employee of Tesla should have uploaded software for Tesla's autopilot solution to the cloud and taken it over to Xpeng.
The Xpeng P7 is a very beautiful car which, on paper, can challenge the Tesla Model 3. It will probably come to Norway and be sold through the Xpeng dealers (source: www.xiaopeng.com)
DFSK – Dongfeng SOKON
DFSK has factories in China, Indonesia and in the USA (MIshawaka, Indiana). The Norwegian importer of Subaru, Gill Gruppen, has set its sights on DFSK's electric cars. They will continue to take in new Subaru models, but not 2021 models. The DFSK models that are interesting for Norway are two high-built crossover models - DFSK E3 og DFSK SERES SF5. The car brand is DFSK, under Dongfeng Motor Group. In Norway, the cars will probably be marketed under the model name Seres.
DFSK SERES 3 will probably arrive in Norway shortly and will replace Subaru at dealers (source: dfsk.com)
DFSK E3
Model name in China: DFSK SERES 3
Length, width, height in cm: 439 x 185 x 165
Wheelbase: 266 cm
Seats: 5
Engine: 160 HP, 300 Nm
Battery capacity: 52,56 Kwh
Range: 405 km
The brand has a Norwegian representative
DFSK SERES SF5
Brand new model (DFSK SERES 5)
Battery capacity: 90 kWh
Engine: 684 HP, 1039 Nm
0-100: 3,5 seconds
The brand has a Norwegian representative
Can also be supplied with a range extender
See picture at the top of the post!
Chery
Like several other Chinese manufacturers, Chery is a fairly young company. The car press pounced on the brand when they started exporting cars to Western countries 20 years ago. Chery seriously failed crash tests. Moreover, several models were alleged to be copies of Western models. Chery never had any success in Europe, but that may change now. The model Chery eQ5 (referred to as Ant in China) is a modern crossover that I'm pretty sure can be imported to Norway.
Chery eQ5 – medium-sized crossover with 70,1 Kwh battery pack.
chery eQ5
Length, width, height in cm: 463 x 191 x 165
Wheelbase: 283 cm
Net weight 1760 kg
Motorization (minimum): 160 HP, 250 Nm
Motorization (largest): 174 HP, 280 Nm
Battery capacity 70,1 Kwh
Range: 510 km NEDC
Top speed: 170 km/h
NIO
NIO was founded in 2014 to produce electric cars. In the myriad of different models, NIO stands out with its modern and western designs and technology. The NIO ES6 is a car that should attract interest from Norwegian customers. It is a challenger to the Audi e-tron. It became the 10th best-selling electric car in China for October. The same model is also available as a coupe variant under the name EC6. NIO has no Norwegian representative.
The NIO ES6 is an Audi e-tron challenger that is not currently represented in Norway (source: nio.com)
NIO ES6 - Default
Battery capacity: 70 Kwh
Range: 420 km (combined), 490 km (urban)
Motorization: 430 HP (215 front and 215 rear).
0-100: 5,6 seconds –Performance
Battery capacity: 84 Kwh
Range: 430 km (combined), 510 km (urban)
Motorization: 536 HP (215 front and 321 rear).
0-100: 4,7 seconds
Active air suspension, 4WD
Dongfeng - one of China's largest manufacturers has established a new electric car brand Voyah. The prototype looks like a cross between a Fisker Karma and a Tesla Model S (source: www.dfmc.com.cn)
In the throat of Tesla
The Tesla Model 3 has been very successful in China. Several car manufacturers are now launching "Tesla killers" - models that will hijack customers from Tesla. Just look at the BYD Han and Xpeng P7, - or Dongfeng Voyah - a prototype that shows what one of China's biggest automakers can create. Hengchi is a brand new car brand, formed by Chinese capital from the construction company China Evergrande Group. They went out last year and said they will become China's largest electric car manufacturer in 5 years. There is little doubt that Tesla is on the target.
If someone were to succeed in surpassing Tesla in China, it is not impossible that they could succeed in Tesla's country of Norway as well.
Henqchi was established last year and has big plans backed by Chinese capital. Henqchi 1 fits into the Tesla Model S.
If you are wondering if your car is manufactured in China, you can check if the car's VIN number starts with "L". Car manufacturers do not always choose to state the correct country in the VIN number, but Chinese law requires that all goods exported must be clearly marked where they come from. Therefore, you can trust that cars manufactured in China always show "L" as the first character in the VIN number.
If you are wondering if your car is manufactured in China, you can check if the car's VIN number starts with "L". Car manufacturers do not always choose to state the correct country in the VIN number, but Chinese law requires that all goods exported must be clearly marked where they come from. Therefore, you can trust that cars manufactured in China always show "L" as the first character in the VIN number. 
