NIO’s entry-level Normal battery pack choice will quickly get an improve with the brand new 2024 mannequin yr vehicles.

In line with the corporate (through CnEVPost), the 75-kilowatt-hour dual-chemistry (LFP/NCM) Normal battery will probably be changed by a brand new 75-kWh battery with solely LFP battery cells. This could simplify the pack and scale back prices. LFP’s battery cell chemistry is named one of many least costly per kWh.

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LFP vs. NCM battery chemistry

The household of lithium-ion batteries consists of a number of branches of chemistries, usually distinguished by their electrode supplies. A few of the hottest are LFP and high-nickel NCM or NCA branches. The LFP is often probably the most cost-effective kind, though they’re much less energy-dense than a few of the different varieties.

Let’s recall that originally, NIO supplied a 70-kWh all-NCM Normal battery and a 100-kWh choice (additionally NCM). In late 2021, the 70-kWh NCM battery was changed by the 75-kWh hybrid pack (LFP/NCM). The brand new pack was a cell-to-pack (CTP) resolution—with out battery modules, which improved the power density and whole power, regardless of the transfer to LFP cells, that are much less energy-dense than NCM.

Now, because the know-how additional progresses, the Normal battery will probably be all-LFP (CATL cells), sustaining its 75-kWh capability, lowering complexity (two varieties of cells and a particular battery administration system) and value.

Whereas value discount seems to be the primary matter right this moment—particularly in China, the place the EV worth conflict is fairly fierce—the brand new battery additionally brings some efficiency enhancements.

In line with the article, NIO’s new battery has been optimized in regard to algorithms, supplies, and efficiency. The height DC quick charging energy will improve from 140 kilowatts to 170 kW, whereas the 10-80% state-of-charge (SOC) charging time will probably be shorter (27 minutes as a substitute of half-hour).

LFP’s benefits over NCM should not solely prices, but in addition fairly good cycle-life, and excessive security, whereas apart from decrease power density, there are another points, associated to chilly climate efficiency (charging) or issue in estimating SOC.

It is fascinating that NIO, after only a few years with the hybrid battery pack, has moved to the usual single-chemistry resolution. The twin-chemistry kind is never used. Within the U.S., a Michigan-based Our Subsequent Power (ONE) is creating such a product, which is known as Gemini. A number of months in the past it enabled 600 miles of vary in an SUV.

NIO additionally has a 150-kWh solid-state battery choice for many who want an additional vary. This new pack has the identical measurement and related weight because the 100-kWh battery. All three battery varieties are appropriate with NIO’s battery swap stations.