Nio has received mass production approval from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for the steer-by-wire (SBW) technology in its flagship sedan, the ET9.
This marks a significant milestone, as the ET9 becomes the first mass-produced vehicle in China to feature SBW technology. The approval ensures that the ET9 will be able to meet its scheduled delivery timeline.
SBW technology, which decouples the steering wheel from the wheels, is a key component of the ET9’s advanced technical capabilities. Nio has announced that it will play a central role in developing national standards for SBW, being the only automaker with an actual production model using this technology.
Although the company did not provide further details in its brief announcement on Weibo, Nio’s founder, chairman, and CEO, William Li, teased additional information would be revealed during the Nio Day 2024 event on December 21.
The ET9, which was unveiled at Nio Day 2023, is priced at RMB 800,000 ($109,920) and is expected to start deliveries in the first quarter of 2025. This sedan is equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including the SBW system, developed as a result of Nio’s significant R&D investments. SBW plays a crucial role in enabling high-level autonomous driving and offers greater flexibility for cockpit design.
Nio’s strategic partnership with ZF Group in October 2022, aimed at advancing SBW products, underscores the growing importance of this technology in the automotive industry. The ET9, which is powered by dual electric motors and features a battery swap capability, weighs 2,700 kilograms and has a top speed of 220 km/h. With its innovative technology and high-performance specifications, the ET9 is set to play a major role in Nio’s efforts to lead the electric vehicle market.
