Nio is embarking on the deep end of the European market and gives us a little more detail on its plans. Starting with the confirmation of three models and above all a new all-inclusive subscription service.
Like many of his compatriots, Nio used Norway as a laboratory to test his vehicles for the European market. It is now entering a new phase of expansion. It was during a major conference in Berlin that the company’s founder William Li revealed some details about his plans. Sedan, because Germany is in the front line.
Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands to start
From October 16, the first deliveries of the ET7 sedan should indeed begin with our neighbors across the Rhine, but also in Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands. Nio is therefore focusing for the first few months on these 4 countries. He plans to open new Nio Houses in these 4 countries: Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Gothenburg.
The battery exchange network will also be developed there. The first station has been installed in Germany, near Munich, and the second is about to open in Berlin. In addition to the two already operational in Norway. By the end of the year, 20 stations must be installed in Europe. The number should reach 120 in 2023, while Europe should have nearly 1,000 of these stations by 2025. Nio has also negotiated agreements with its existing charging services, and offers its customers access 380 000 charging points in Europe.
ET7, ET5 and EL7
After ET7, Nio will quickly expand its European range. The ES8 which launched the assault in Norway will not be part of it. It already belongs to the brand’s older generation of models… So it will be the ET5 and the EL7 that will arrive. EL7? Yes EL7 and not ES7. In order to cut short any risk of lawsuits from Audi, the SUVs will change their name in Europe and the ES7 becomes EL7. Orders for these two models open now. Deliveries of the EL7 will begin in January, those of the ET5 in March.
The highly anticipated ET5 will be offered in Europe with both battery formats: 75 kWh or 100 kWh. With 445 km of WLTP autonomy for the first, 580 km for the second. For the ET7, the approved autonomies are identical. Regarding the EL7, with the same batteries (exchange system requires), the autonomy increases to 394 and 513 km.
The 150 kWh semi-Solid type battery announced for the three models is not yet available, but should be one of the major novelties of 2023.
Rent rather than buy
One of the novelties is the sales model chosen: rental only, Nio speaks of subscription, in all-inclusive mode. Nio does not display any purchase price for its cars in the 4 launch countries. You can only rent a Nio according to an all-inclusive formula, the duration of which can be chosen from 1 to 60 months. Everything included here means home delivery, warranty, maintenance with jockey service and replacement car, change of tires and winter tyres, battery exchange…
For example, an ET5 with 75 kWh battery is displayed at €999.17/month over 36 months for 1250 km/month. Under the same conditions, with the same battery, it takes €1191.27/month for an ET7 and €1299.04/month for an EL7… With the 1000 kWh battery, it takes €1175.13, 1362.98 respectively. and €1435.58/month for the ET5, ET7 and EL7.
In all cases, the battery exchange service makes it possible to switch at any time from a 75 to 100 kWh battery, or vice versa, with adjustment of the rental rate accordingly.
| 36 month subscription 1250 km/month (Germany) | ET5 | ET7 | EL7 |
| With 75 kWh battery | €999.17/month | €1191.27/month | €1299.04/month |
| With 100 kWh battery | €1175.13/month | €1362.98/month | €1435.58/month |
And France?
Nio has chosen four launch countries, but does not yet give any expansion dates in other European countries. Given the deployment objectives of the battery exchange network, the brand’s presence by 2025 should cover the entire continent. Presumably the next batch of expansion, presumably for the second half of 2023, will be mostly North West European: Belgium, Luxembourg, France, UK, Switzerland, Austria…
Read also
Nio ET5: Tesla’s new killer
Author’s opinion
As we can see with the table, Nio does not break the prices. By coming to Europe, Nio is not targeting the mass market and immediate large volumes. It intends to build a top-of-the-range image, through its vehicles, their content and the associated services. Let’s not forget that in its national market, the Chinese brand is already part of the “premium” segment with average selling prices much higher than those of Xpeng, for example.
Once this high-end image has been built, Nio will develop its volumes. This will be done by a new brand for the moment known under the code “Alps Project”… Knowing that Nio has already started work for a third brand for even cheaper models…
