- Semi-solid state battery technology allows 2024 Nio ET7 to drive 650 miles, 660 miles, and 665 miles during real-world range tests around China.
- The new 150 kWh battery pack is the same size as a traditional 100 kWh battery pack.
- Technology promises to deliver more range, weigh less, and improve efficiency.
Nio has announced the results of three separate range tests conducted this week with the 2024 ET7. The tests aren’t just notable because the EV managed to travel 665 miles (1,070 km) on a single charge, but also because of the new semi-solid-state batteries that made the trips possible.
The automaker announced the results of its real-world, stating that one car traveling from Shanghai to Xiamen went 650 miles (1,046 km) before running out of juice, another, going from Beijing to Hefei, managed to go 660 miles (1,062 km) before having to throw in the towel, and the final car, driving from Kunming to Zhanjiang, ran the full 665 miles (1,070 km).
Read: China Forms Solid-State Battery Consortium With CATL, BYD, Nio, CALB, And Others
On its longest drive, the ET7 was carrying around 441 lbs (200 kg) worth of cargo, ascended 6,151 feet (1,875 meters) over the course of its journey, reached a top speed of 73 mph (118 km/h), and kept an average speed of 52.0 mph (83.7 km/h). In all, it took the car 12.8 hours to complete its journey.
Central to the electric sedan’s ability to achieve these impressive feats was the semi-solid state battery that powered it. Capable of storing 150 kWh of energy, the battery is the same size as Nio’s 100 kWh lithium-ion battery, and weighs just 44 lbs (20 kg) more, despite holding 50 percent more juice.
An evolution of lithium-ion technology, semi-solid state batteries replace the all liquid electrolyte with a solid conductive material that is suspended in a liquid electrolyte, per Grepow. The promise of the technology isn’t just in delivering long-distance EVs, but in reducing the physical size of batteries in all EVs, to make them lighter and more efficient.
The announcement of these impressive range tests, coincides with the start of pre-orders for the 2024 ET7, which opened on April 16. On April 25, Nio will officially announce all specifications for the car, will allow customers to lock in their orders, and deliveries are set to begin on April 30.
