NIO ES7/EL7: Mid-Large Electric SUV with Battery Swap Technology

The NIO ES7 (known as EL7 in Europe due to trademark considerations with Audi) represents NIO’s premium mid-large SUV, combining exceptional performance, advanced technology, and revolutionary battery swap capability. Launched in Europe in January 2023, the ES7/EL7 competes directly with the Tesla Model Y, BMW iX3, and Mercedes-Benz EQC, offering superior power and unique features including V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) discharging capability.

With 480 kW (653 hp) of power and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds, the ES7/EL7 delivers performance that exceeds most competitors in its segment. The vehicle achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2023, demonstrating NIO’s commitment to safety excellence. The Battery as a Service (BaaS) model further enhances its appeal, reducing upfront costs by approximately €12,000.

NIO ES7/EL7 Quick Specifications

Specification	Details
Body Type	Mid-Large Premium SUV
Seating	5 seats
Battery Options	75 kWh / 100 kWh / 150 kWh
WLTP Range	450-620 km
Power	480 kW (653 hp)
Torque	850 Nm
0-100 km/h	3.9 seconds
Top Speed	200 km/h
Drivetrain	AWD (Dual Motor)
DC Charging	126-140 kW
Battery Swap	Yes (3 minutes)
V2L Discharging	Yes (up to 3.3 kW)
Euro NCAP	5 stars (2023)
Europe Price	€85,900-€94,900

Battery Swap Technology

The EL8’s defining feature is NIO’s battery swap capability:

How It Works

1. Drive into a NIO Power Swap station
2. The system automatically positions your car
3. Robotic arms remove your depleted battery
4. A fully charged battery is installed
5. Total time: ~3 minutes

Benefits

• No Waiting: Faster than any fast charger
• Battery Upgrades: Swap to larger battery when needed
• BaaS Option: Buy car without battery, subscribe monthly
• Battery Health: NIO monitors and maintains batteries centrally

Infrastructure

• 30+ stations in Europe
• 3,200+ stations worldwide
• 67+ million swaps completed globally

NIO EL8 Specifications

Dimensions

Measurement	Value
Doors	5
Seating	6 (2+2+2 configuration)
Type	Large SUV

Performance

Specification	Value
Power	480 kW (653 hp)
Drivetrain	AWD
0-100 km/h	4.1 seconds
Top Speed	200 km/h

Battery and Range

Variant	Battery	Range (WLTP)	Price (EUR)
Standard Range	75 kWh (73.5 usable)	360 km	€82,900-94,900
Long Range	100 kWh	436 km	€103,900

Charging

Method	Speed
AC Charging	11 kW
DC Fast Charging	140 kW
Battery Swap	3 minutes (full)
Port Type	CCS

NIO EL8 Features

Interior

• 12.8-inch touchscreen
• Panoramic glass roof
• Heated and ventilated seats
• Air suspension
• NOMI AI assistant (emotional robot companion)

6-Seat Configuration

The EL8 uses a 2+2+2 layout:

• Row 1: Driver and passenger
• Row 2: Two captain’s chairs with center console
• Row 3: Two additional seats

This differs from 7-seaters, prioritizing comfort over maximum capacity.

Technology

• NIO autonomous driving system
• OTA software updates
• NIO app connectivity
• Premium audio system

NIO EL8 Pricing

European Pricing

Variant	Price (EUR)
75 kWh	€82,900-94,900
100 kWh	€103,900

Battery as a Service (BaaS)

With BaaS, you buy the car without the battery:

• Lower upfront cost: ~€12,000-15,000 less
• Monthly subscription: €169-289/month depending on battery size
• Flexibility: Upgrade battery temporarily for road trips

NIO EL8 vs Competitors

vs Tesla Model X

Feature	NIO EL8	Tesla Model X
Seating	6	6-7
Power	653 hp	670-1,020 hp
Range	436 km	543 km
Battery Swap	Yes	No
Europe Price	€82,900-103,900	€130,000-175,000
Doors	Standard	Falcon wing

Verdict: The Model X offers more range and power. The EL8 offers battery swap convenience and (potentially) lower price.

vs Mercedes EQS SUV

Feature	NIO EL8	EQS SUV
Seating	6	7
Range	436 km	544 km
Power	653 hp	536 hp
Europe Price	€82,900-103,900	€150,000-180,000

Verdict: The EQS SUV offers Mercedes luxury and more range. The EL8 provides more power and unique battery swap capability.

European Market Availability

NIO EL8 is currently available in:

• Norway: Full availability with battery swap network
• Germany: Available with expanding swap infrastructure
• Netherlands: Available
• Sweden: Available
• Denmark: Available

The battery swap network continues to expand across these markets.

Pros and Cons

What We Like

• Revolutionary 3-minute battery swap
• Strong 653 hp performance
• 6-seat premium comfort
• NOMI AI companion
• BaaS reduces upfront cost
• Air suspension standard
• Premium interior quality

What Could Be Better

• 436 km range is moderate for size/price
• 140 kW DC charging slower than competitors
• Battery swap requires NIO stations
• Premium pricing
• Service network expanding but still limited
• Brand awareness growing in Europe

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the EL8 charge normally without battery swap?

Yes. The EL8 supports standard CCS DC fast charging (up to 140 kW) and 11 kW AC home charging. Battery swap is an additional option, not a requirement.

Q: What is NOMI?

NOMI is NIO’s AI-powered in-car assistant—a physical robot on the dashboard that responds to voice commands, shows emotions, and provides companionship. It’s a unique NIO feature.

Q: Where is NIO battery swap available in Europe?

NIO has battery swap stations in Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark. The network continues to expand across these markets.

Q: How does Battery as a Service (BaaS) work?

You buy the car without the battery (saving ~€12,000-15,000), then pay a monthly subscription (€169-289) to “rent” the battery. You can upgrade to a larger battery anytime.

Q: Is the EL8 the same as the ES8?

Yes, essentially. EL8 is the European name; ES8 is the Chinese name. Minor specification differences exist for different markets.

Related Guides

• NIO Battery Swap Technology - Deep dive on swap tech
• NIO Brand Overview - Complete brand information
• Tesla Model X Guide - Primary competitor

Official Sources

• NIO Europe
• NIO Global

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This guide was last updated in January 2026. NIO EL8 is available in Europe (Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark).