Shanghai-based electric-vehicle maker Nio plans to deloy semisolid-state battery cells in several EV models, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on October 16. The news has come soon after Nio had deployed these battery cells in about three other models five months ago, the report mentioned.
Citing China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the report stated that the latest batch of EV models powered by semisolid-state battery cells that will be allowed to be sold in China, as well as hundreds of vehicle specification changes, have been filed by automakers for public comment.
The report stated that while Nio did not file for new models, the carmaker did file expanded specification information for 11 models, adding semisolid-state batteries to the battery information. These 11 models include nine sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and two sedans, with the specification changes adding the use of battery cells from Huzhou WeLion Technology Co.
It can be recalled that Nio had first unveiled the 150-kWh semisolid-state battery when it had launched its flagship sedan, the Nio ET7, at the Nio Day 2020, which was organized in January 2021. The deliveries of that model with semisolid-state battery have not begun so far.
Later in November 2022, WeLion saw its first solid-state battery cell roll off the production line at its battery manufacturing facility in Huzhou, Zhejiang province in eastern China, the report pointed out.
Earlier in June 2023, WeLion had started delivering 360-Wh/kg lithium battery cells to Nio with a delivery ceremony held in Huzhou, where its manufacturing facility is located.
According to the news report, Nio's filing of the semisolid-state battery for an additional 11 models means that the new pack is ready for production. Nio currently has eight models on sale, including ES8, ES7, ES6, EC7, EC6, ET7, ET5 and ET5 Touring.
While Nio’s electric cars support battery swap, where all models share the battery packs circulating in its battery-swap system, the older models are required to file with the regulators in China if these models are to utilize the latest battery packs, the report added.
