- This is one of Onvo's latest efforts to optimize the car using experience following a change in its management.
- Onvo has virtually exempted L60 owners under a BaaS plan from an additional cost associated with changing the plan.
Onvo, a sub-brand of Nio (NYSE: NIO), has virtually eliminated an additional cost for L60 owners when changing their BaaS (battery as a service) plan, removing what had previously been a complaint for many users.
For L60 owners who purchased their cars based on the BaaS battery rental program, the additional one-time fee for changing their monthly plan has been reduced from the previous RMB 3,000 yuan ($416) to RMB 1 yuan, according to a report in local tech media outlet IT Home last night.
Onvo has yet to announce the change on its official channels, and it's not clear if the move is temporary or permanent.
The Nio sub-brand launched its first model on September 19, 2024, the L60, a mid-size SUV (sport utility vehicle).
The L60, like other models in Nio Inc's lineup, supports battery swap, meaning drivers can quickly access a fully charged battery at a battery swap station, on top of regular charging.
The L60's battery pack is available in 60-kWh standard-range and 85-kWh long-range options, with a starting price of RMB 206,900 including the battery pack.
Under the BaaS purchase program, the L60 starts at RMB 149,900, with a monthly battery rental fee of RMB 599 or RMB 899 depending on the battery pack.
Starting March 1, Onvo allows standard-range L60s to be flexibly upgraded to 85-kWh battery packs, regardless of whether they were purchased based on a BaaS plan. Upgrades cost RMB 45 per day, RMB 800 per month, and RMB 8,800 per year.
Also on March 1, Onvo began allowing owners of cars with BaaS plans to permanently change their payment plan, but with an additional one-time fee of RMB 3,000 compared to temporary upgrades.
The extra fee has caused some dissatisfaction over the past two months, with some owners arguing that it prevents BaaS-based buyers from freely upgrading their battery packs on a permanent basis.
Making the RMB 3,000 extra fee virtually waived could help eliminate that complaint and is one of several adjustments Onvo has made since April 1, when it changed its president.
Previous Nio Power head Shen Fei replaced Alan Ai as Onvo's president from April 1, and since then the Nio sub-brand has seen a series of changes to optimize efficiency and eliminate unreasonable practices.
Onvo's delivery performance remained weak last month and the effects of the adjustments made over the past month remain to be seen.
Nio Inc delivered 23,900 vehicles in April, its second highest ever, behind last December's 31,138, according to figures it announced on May 1.
That's up 53.01 percent from 15,620 vehicles in the same month last year and up 58.92 percent from 15,039 in March.
Onvo delivered 4,400 vehicles in April, down 8.71 percent from 4,820 in March.
By the end of April, Onvo's cumulative deliveries totaled 39,942 vehicles.
($1 = RMB 7.2171)
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