The electric car manufacturer Nio is introducing a new development in their latest model, the Nio ES6. According to the updated user manuals, the ES6 will be equipped with a 150-kilowatt-hour semi-solid-state battery pack. The CEO of Nio, William Li, has announced that the introduction of this new battery will begin in China from July.
Solid-state batteries are different from traditional lithium-ion or lithium polymer batteries as they use solid electrolytes instead of liquid or polymer gel electrolytes. This change in technology brings several advantages, including increased energy density and faster charging capabilities in the same physical space.
The new 150-kWh battery developed by Beijing WeLion Energy Technology weighs 575 kilograms, which is 20 kg more than the 100-kWh packs commonly found in Nio models. It also offers an energy density of 261 watt-hours per kilogram, a significant improvement from CATL’s unit that provides 180 Wh/kg.
Structurally, the new battery pack contains 384 cells, a considerable increase from CATL’s unit with only 96 cells. These new cells have an energy density of 360 Wh/kg, according to WeLion.
During the Nio Day event in January 2021, Nio unveiled the solid-state battery while introducing their flagship ET7 electric sedan. They claimed that this battery could deliver a range of over 1000 kilometers (620 miles). However, due to the differences in weight and aerodynamics, the range estimation for the ES6 is slightly reduced to 930 km (577 miles). It is worth noting that future Nio sedans may offer even greater ranges with the implementation of the new solid-state battery pack.
It is important to consider that actual range figures may vary depending on regional and testing cycle differences. Additionally, the commercialization of solid-state batteries has faced challenges in terms of upscaling and achieving cost parity with current battery technology. This is why there has been a two-year gap between the announcement of the solid-state battery and its availability in Nio vehicles.
Solid-state batteries are gaining attention from various automakers as they are seen as the future of battery technology. Toyota, for example, has recently reported a breakthrough in solid-state battery development that could potentially offer a range of 745 miles and a charging time of just 10 minutes.
The implementation of solid-state batteries in electric vehicles marks an important step towards more efficient and powerful energy storage systems. With advancements in this technology, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly competitive with traditional internal combustion engine vehicles in terms of range and charging capabilities.