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NIO ET7

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NIO ET7: NIO ET7: Flagship Electric Sedan with Exceptional Range
Photo: Alexander Migl / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

NIO ET7: Flagship Electric Sedan with Exceptional Range

The NIO ET7 is a full-size luxury electric sedan that competes with the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz EQS, featuring an optional semi-solid-state battery targeting over 900 km of range.

Unveiled in 2021 and delivered from early 2022, the ET7 marked NIO's entry into the premium large sedan segment and raised the bar for battery technology ambition. The car is built on a new platform with air suspension, rear-wheel steering, and a drag coefficient of just 0.208. Inside, the cabin is finished with high-grade materials and a panoramic LiDAR-enabled sensor suite that NIO calls the Aquila supersensingplatform, feeding a high-performance onboard computing system called Adam.

Battery options span from a 75 kWh standard pack to a 100 kWh long-range pack, and NIO has demonstrated a roughly 150 kWh semi-solid-state battery targeting over 900 km of CLTC range, which the company began delivering to subscribers in 2023. All three packs are swappable at any NIO Power Swap Station, meaning drivers can rotate packs based on trip needs or upgrade as new chemistry improves energy density. The Battery-as-a-Service model allows subscription to the battery separately from the vehicle purchase.

Dual motors drive all four wheels, with combined output around 480 kW for a 0-to-100 km/h time near 3.9 seconds despite the vehicle's substantial dimensions. The ET7 competes directly with the BMW i7, Mercedes-Benz EQS, and Audi A8 e-tron, offering comparable or superior technology content at a lower price for buyers in markets where NIO operates, while adding the battery-swap convenience that European luxury brands cannot match.

Frequently asked questions about NIO ET7

What is the maximum range of the NIO ET7?
With the approximately 150 kWh semi-solid-state battery pack, NIO targets over 900 km of CLTC range for the ET7. The 100 kWh long-range pack achieves around 675 km of CLTC range. Real-world figures at highway speeds will be lower but still among the longest available from any production EV.
What is the NIO ET7's semi-solid-state battery?
NIO partnered with CATL to produce a semi-solid-state battery cell with higher energy density than conventional lithium-ion chemistry. The approximately 150 kWh pack uses a partially solid electrolyte layer that reduces flammability risk and packs more energy into the same physical envelope, enabling the exceptional range figure without increasing the pack size beyond what the ET7's chassis accepts.
Does the NIO ET7 support battery swapping?
Yes. The ET7 is fully compatible with NIO's Power Swap Station network. Drivers can swap any of the three available battery sizes at a station in about five minutes, including the large semi-solid-state pack where stations stock it. Subscribers can also change pack sizes between trips to optimize for range or cost.
How does the NIO ET7 compare to the BMW i7?
Both are flagship electric sedans with luxury interiors and advanced technology. The ET7 offers the unique battery-swap option and its semi-solid-state pack's exceptional range potential. The BMW i7 has a more established global service network and stronger brand recognition in Western markets. On technology content and interior space the two are closely matched, but the ET7 typically undercuts the i7 on price in China.
What driver-assistance hardware does the NIO ET7 carry?
The ET7 is equipped with NIO's Aquila super-sensing system, which includes a roof-mounted LiDAR unit, multiple high-resolution cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and millimeter-wave radar. The Adam computing platform processes sensor data for NIO Pilot highway-driving assistance and is designed to support future urban autonomous driving features delivered over the air.

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