Two and a half years after first sharing plans to implement a 150 kWh solid-state battery pack in its EVs, NIO seems poised to lastly do exactly that. The automaker’s digital consumer manuals now function specs of the solid-state pack, equipped by WeLion – debuting on the upcoming ES6 SUV. The extra helps latest guarantees from NIO’s chief that prospects in China will have the ability to choose the energy-dense pack as early as this month.

Throughout its 2020 NIO Day occasion, held in January of 2021, Chinese language EV automaker NIO unveiled a 150 kWh pack, that includes solid-state battery cells configured to the identical design of its present lithium-ion cells. On the time, the corporate was promising its new pack may ship 1,000 km (620 miles) of vary on a single cost.

Like many solid-state applied sciences we’ve coated lately, full-scaled commercialization at all times feels two years away. Whereas many battery builders have launched and even showcased much less unstable and extra energy-dense expertise that simply bests lithium-ion chemistry, few have been in a position to scale to a degree that gives price parity with the present cell commonplace.

NIO itself has confronted a number of delays in implementing the brand new pack in its EVs, to the purpose that we had form of brushed it off altogether. That modified this previous Could when the automaker made a submitting with China’s Ministry of Trade and Data Expertise (CMIIT), noting intentions to promote three present EV fashions with expanded battery capabilities offered by solid-state battery developer WeLion.

Through the launch of NIO’s ES6 on the finish of Could, we realized that the brand new SUV would be the first of these three EVs to supply the 150 kWh solid-state pack as an choice to prospects. Following new particulars in its buyer handbook, we’ve realized the precise specs of this new pack, providing additional hope we might really see it toll out in July.

In keeping with particulars in NIO’s EV consumer manuals identified by CnEVPost, the brand new 150 kWh solid-state pack is barely heavier however considerably extra vitality dense than the 100 kWh lithium-ion pack from CATL presently being supplied to prospects.

For instance, NIO’s solid-state pack weighs 575 kg (1,268 lbs), 20 kg (44 lbs or 3.6%) heavier than the 100 kWh packs (555 kg). Moreover, the brand new pack’s vitality density is 261 Wh/kg, 44.44% larger than the 180 Wh/kg the 100 kWh lithium-ion pack is providing.

Regardless of its larger density, the 150 kWh pack has the identical size, width, and peak of its 100 kWh predecessor (2,062 mm, 1,539 mm and 185.6 mm, respectively), serving to the transition into precise manufacturing car proceed extra easily.

NIO’s solid-state battery producer WeLion shared in a July 1 press launch that it had formally begun delivering the 150 kWh packs to the EV automaker on June 30 and confirmed the 2 corporations signed an annual order – though it didn’t disclose its measurement.

Whereas solid-states are being deliberate for a minimum of three NIO EVs, it seems these prospects who reserved an ES6 (or EL6 within the EU) could possibly reap the benefits of the higher vary first. NIO chairperson and CEO has shared the ES6 will have the ability to garner 930 km (577 miles) of vary on a single cost with the 150 kWh pack.

That’s not 1,000 km as promised, however SUVs are much less aerodynamic than sedans, so we’d anticipate one other NIO EV like the ET5, as an example, to hit the centennial mark in kilometers. We are going to preserve an eye fixed out to see when the 150 kWh really turns into selectable to NIO prospects and have an interest to see which mannequin(s) will see it delivered first.