NIO Inc (NYSE: NIO) will prioritize the use of its 100-kWh battery packs for the production of the third-generation ES8, rather than for battery swap stations, to accelerate deliveries of the SUV (sport utility vehicle).
The electric vehicle (EV) maker announced this decision today via its mobile app, saying it will temporarily affect battery supply at some swap stations.
The company is compensating new ES8 customers: those receiving deliveries by December 31 will get a RMB 400 ($56) charging subsidy.
The company expects battery deployment to cover all third- and fourth-generation battery swap stations by January 2026.
Nio officially launched the third-generation ES8 at Nio Day 2025 on September 20, with deliveries commencing the following day on September 21.
The model comes standard with a 100-kWh battery pack and offers three variants, with a starting price of RMB 406,800 ($57,130) including the battery pack.
Under the BaaS (Battery as a Service) plan, the starting price is RMB 298,800, with a monthly battery rental fee of RMB 1,128.
Nio founder, chairman, and CEO William Li pledged at the launch event that annual production capacity for the model will exceed 40,000 units this year.
While the third-generation ES8 carries a premium price tag, its significant reduction compared to previous generation has driven strong initial reception.
This year's production capacity of 40,000 units has already sold out. Customers placing orders now will face a 24-26 week wait for delivery, extending into March next year, according to information displayed on the Nio App.
During a September 2 earnings call, Nio management said that the new ES8 will reach a production capacity of 10,000 units in October and 15,000 units in December.
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