Nio has filed to use WeLion's semi-solid battery cells in 11 more models, after filing for three other models five months ago.
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Nio (NYSE: NIO) has filed for the use of semi-solid batteries in more models, after it did so for three other more models five months ago.
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) today announced the latest batch of models that will be allowed to be sold in China, as well as hundreds of vehicle specification changes that have been filed by automakers for public comment.
The public can submit their feedback between October 17 and October 23. Entry into these catalogs is one of the main regulatory processes by which a model can be allowed to be sold in China or have its specifications changed.
Nio did not file for new models, but did file expanded specification information for 11 models, adding semi-solid-state batteries to the battery information.
These include nine SUVs and two sedans, with the specification changes adding the use of battery cells from Huzhou WeLion Technology Co. The assemblies based on the cells are manufactured by a Nio subsidiary in Nanjing.
The information doesn't directly mention solid-state batteries, but WeLion Huzhou is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nio's semisolid-state battery supplier, Beijing WeLion New Energy Technology.
Nio unveiled the 150-kWh semi-solid-state battery when it launched its flagship sedan, the Nio ET7, at the Nio Day 2020 event on January 9, 2021, though deliveries have not begun to date.
On November 22, 2022, WeLion saw the first solid-state battery cell roll off the production line at its battery manufacturing facility in Huzhou, Zhejiang province in eastern China.
On June 30, WeLion began delivering 360 Wh/kg lithium battery cells to Nio with a delivery ceremony held in Huzhou, where its manufacturing facility is located.
Days before Nio received delivery of the cells, William Li, Nio's founder, chairman, and CEO, said at the May 24 launch event for the new ES6 that the company's 150-kWh semisolid battery packs would be in service in July.
However, at the third annual Nio Power Day event on July 20, Nio co-founder and president Qin Lihong said there would be a slight change in the availability of Nio's 150-kWh battery pack, suggesting that the delivery of the pack will be delayed again. The date of availability of the battery pack is still unknown.
On May 9, Nio filed for the addition of WeLion as a cell supplier for three models, including two SUVs as well as a sedan.
The company's filing of the battery for an additional 11 models means that the new pack may not be far from finally being available.
Nio currently has eight models on sale, being the ES8, ES7, ES6, EC7, EC6, ET7, ET5, and ET5 Touring.
The company's models support battery swap, where all models share the battery packs circulating in its battery swap system. Its older models are likewise required to file with regulators if they are to utilize the latest battery packs.
Nio's user manuals now include 150-kWh battery as delivery nears
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