Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer NIO is set to launch its new ET7 sedan, equipped with a massive 150 kWh semi-solid state battery pack, later this month. Pre-orders for the vehicle will open on April 16, with the official debut scheduled for April 25 at the Beijing Auto Show. To showcase the impressive capabilities of the ET7, NIO is organizing an endurance challenge to see if the luxury sedan can surpass its own record of 650 miles (1044 km) on a single charge.
NIO’s founder and CEO, William Li, tested the ET7 with the 150 kWh semi-solid state EV battery in December, achieving a new record for a mass-produced EV by covering 1,145 km (711 mi) on a single charge. During the 14-hour endurance test, Li drove the ET7 for 12.4 hours, covering 1,044 km (~650 miles) and still had an extra 3% charge remaining, which could have enabled an additional 36 km. The vehicle was in intelligent drive mode for 92% of the trip.
NIO’s endurance challenge, starting on April 16, will see three groups of guests compete on different routes to surpass the ET7’s range record. The event will be live-streamed starting at 5:50 am Beijing time, emphasizing NIO’s commitment to showcasing the capabilities of electric vehicles.
In February, NIO opened orders for seven updated models, including the 2024 ET5, ET5 Touring, EC6, ES6, EC7, ES7, and ES8. The new ET7 is the final model in its lineup to receive a 2024 refresh. The vehicle features a similar exterior design to its predecessors but offers several interior upgrades, including two large rear passenger screens.
Earlier this month, NIO commenced mass production of its semi-solid state EV batteries, indicating its commitment to advancing battery technology. The company’s deliveries increased by 14% year-on-year in March, with 11,866 vehicles delivered, driven by the rollout of refreshed models.
