NIO EV: Everything You Need To Know

In the United Staes, little is known or talked about NIO, the Chinese electric automaker. Similar to Tesla, this manufacturer has shattered glass ceilings in the electric sector in Asia, and has even raised a few eyebrows in its short time in production. With that said, curiosity has us interested in this EV competitor. Even though it’s unlikely we’ll see NIO models gracing the streets of the U.S. anytime soon, it’s still worth admiring the innovation behind the brand. As we always like to say, electric is the future. Therefore, it’s time to see what other automakers are bringing to the table.

Here’s the latest lowdown on NIO electric, including how they’re bouncing back after a tumultuous year.

Where it all began

NIO is a relatively new company to the electric industry. Founded by William Li in 2014, the electric brand’s formative years were spent securing a range of investors and introducing their first model, NIO EP9. Following suit with other industry leaders, NIO quickly added sedan and SUV options to their lineup to attract the everyday driver. These select models carry the sleek and semi-boxy design of NIO engineering with price tags generally comparable to Tesla. The most affordable NIO model comes in at $58,500. However, the price can quickly rack up after upgrades are added.

Introducing battery-swapping services 

The electric producer has garnered considerable attention in the Asian automotive market, specifically for its battery-swapping service that allows drivers to switch out their old battery for a new one in under 5 minutes.

It’s interesting to see the success of NIO’s battery swapping stations after Tesla gave the idea a try, and later nixed it, several years ago. The Tesla pilot program took off at the end of 2014, but never came to fruition. With NIO, consumers are taking advantage of this convenience, which is why the automaker has raised its target goal to open 700 more swap stations by the end of the year.

Braving a pandemic and recalls

The last few years have been a rocky road for NIO and other automakers worldwide. Luckily, they seemingly survived the economic downfall of the pandemic with the help of investors and the continual push for electric buying. They even weathered a storm of recalls concerning battery explosions, something that Tesla has likewise received heat for. Recently, however, the EV brand is experiencing a significant rebirth in mainland China. Given that things continue to trend upward, a newfound optimism now lies for this EV automaker.

Breakdown of NIO models 

In a handful of years, NIO has delivered a variety of models for electric buyers. Consumers can take a look at the cutting-edge designs of the following sedan and SUV options under the NIO namesake:

• eT7
• eC6
• eS8
• eS6

Other models include the original sports car, EP9, and the truly remarkable autonomous prototype, known as EVE. One look at NIO’s vision for AI-powered driving and you’ll be dreaming of the day that naps in your car become a regular thing. Seriously — the interior of EVE looks like a cozy oasis. 

Moreover, once you browse the NIO website, you’ll see this EV brand shares similar qualities with Tesla. Yet it’s fair to say the interior cabin of some NIO models does surpass Tesla’s simplistic and formulated design. For instance, take a look at the ET7’s ambient lighting.

Image source: NIO.com

What to expect for the future of NIO

2021 has proven to be the comeback year for the automotive industry. Even  rental car companies on the verge of bankruptcy are now experiencing new levels of demand. What’s important to note is the automotive world is ever-evolving, and consumers are always ready for what’s next. For NIO, that means expanding beyond its consumer market in Asia and heading in a global direction.

On July 20th, the first NIO ES8s were shipped from Shanghai to Norway. Read more: https://t.co/O9pbbmhnYe #NIONorway #AlwaysForward pic.twitter.com/UjiJVyudzw

— NIO (@NIOGlobal) July 22, 2021

In May 2021, NIO announced that its ES8 model will be making its first debut in Norway come July. This was a crucial step for the automaker for a number of reasons. First, they are entering the global market in the most EV-driven country, which will be a good determinant for how well other countries respond to the EV brand as a whole. Secondly, it opens the door for more NIO models to take the steps from Shanghai to international regions.

More than the Chinese Tesla

Electric and mass market automakers have made a lot of promises concerning the future of electric driving. Some are brave enough to say that by 2040, every new car manufactured will be electric. Hence, statements like this level up mixed emotions from drivers. Mainly as we sit and wait for electric vehicles to become more financially attainable in the years ahead.

While Tesla is far superior in likability and attainability, it’s always good to check out the competition. Chinese manufacturers like NIO and Wuling Motors are contributing greatly to the advancement of electric manufacturing. It’s understandable why so many critics claim NIO is the Chinese Tesla, but they are definitely putting their own twist on things. While the comparisons might be obvious, NIO is driven to succeed under Li’s vision. The brand is making us one step closer to a more sustainable tomorrow.