Nio EL8 finally arrives in Europe
Chinese EV manufacturer Nio started deliveries of its highly anticipated EL8 electric SUV in Europe. Known as the ES8 in its home market, the EL8 began its pre-orders in Europe three months ago. The first batch of EL8s was now handed over to customers, much to the delight of the company and its growing European fanbase.
Nio's journey in Europe began in 2021 with the launch of the original ES8 in Norway. Since then, the company has expanded its presence to include Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark. The introduction of the EL8, built on Nio's advanced NT 2.0 platform, is a major leap forward in terms of technology and performance. The new model comes with a range of cutting-edge features, including a LiDAR system for enhanced autonomous driving capabilities.
The company's battery swap stations, which allow users to quickly exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones, have proven very popular in China and are expected to be a key differentiator in Europe as well.
Despite facing challenges such as additional tariffs imposed by the European Union on EVs from China, Nio has reaffirmed its commitment to the European market. The company has been actively expanding its infrastructure in the region, with a particular focus on battery swap stations. As of today, Nio operates 56 battery swap stations across Europe.
The EL8 is a spacious and luxurious electric SUV that offers a range of up to 317 miles on a single charge. It comes equipped with a panoramic sunroof, a premium sound system, and a suite of driver-assistance technologies. The interior is both elegant and functional, with ample legroom and cargo space.
While the EL8's starting price $105,300 (in Germany) may be a bit steep for many, it is important to remember that Nio offers a battery-as-a-service subscription model, which can significantly reduce the upfront cost of ownership. Under this model, customers pay a monthly fee of $188 to lease the battery, rather than purchasing it outright, and save $13,300 in the short run. Fully specced EL8 with the larger battery costs $115,300 - a Mercedes EQE SUV territory.
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