Chinese electric automaker NIO recently kicked off the series production of its innovative 150 kWh semi-solid battery pack, Car News China reported. This new battery technology promises to deliver long driving ranges but also increases an electric vehicle’s pricing.
NIO’s battery breakthrough
NIO launched an unveiling ceremony for its first mass-produced 150 kWh semi-solid battery pack in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on April 3.
The new battery packs will reportedly hit the market in a few months as part of the company’s battery swap service. This is significant progress in NIO’s electrification push amid the intensifying competition in the electric vehicle industry.
In hindsight, NIO co-founder and chief executive William Li tested the innovative 150-kWh semi-solid battery with the Nio ET7 electric sedan. The car drove a total of 1,044 km on a single charge with the remaining 3% battery capacity.
CEO William Li said during the testing that the battery had also traveled 1,145 km on a single charge from Kunming to Beihai, marking the world record for a mass-produced EV.
What’s special about this new battery tech?
NIO initially announced plans to develop and launch a 150-kWh semi-solid battery technology in 2021. It promises to deliver an energy density of 260 Wh/kg and a driving range of up to 1,055 km.
Beijing-based battery company WeLion New Energy Technology designed the new battery tech. According to the report, the 150 kWh SSB cells boast a 360 Wh/kg energy density, while the whole pack has a 260 Wh/kg density.
In addition, it features a cooling system that is apparently sixfold stronger than ordinary batteries. The 150 kWh SSB weighs 676 kg, 20 kg more than NIO’s 100 kWh battery pack.
For reference, BYD’s 135.5 kWh LFP battery has a weight of 903 kg. With these considered, WeLion and NIO undoubtedly did a great job in reducing the 150 kWh SSB’s weight.
Timeline
NIO did not announce the specific launch date of the new 150 kWh SSB. Nonetheless, the company shared on social media that the SSB would hit the market in the second quarter of the year.
The commencement of mass production suggests that the 150 kWh SSB will initially arrive as part of NIO’s Power Swap Stations (PPS) in a few months. Summer would be the ideal launch time for the new battery tech, as many tourists visit Xinjiang during this time.
As of now, NIO only offers 70 kWh and 100 kWh battery pack options across its electric vehicle offerings. Although the upcoming 150 kWh SSB battery can extend a car’s driving range, it will also substantially increase the overall pricing.
