Leaked photos dated December 18 show the Firefly compact electric vehicle initiating real-world battery-swap procedures at a NIO fifth-generation swap station. The screenshots from inside the vehicle display the system’s preparation and safety interface, confirming that Firefly has entered operational testing ahead of the network’s planned 5th gen battery swap station rollout in the first half of 2026.

The screens show a three-second countdown to begin the swap, along with instructions to keep the vehicle stationary as the automated alignment process begins. These layouts match NIO’s established 5th-generation workflow, which will provide compatible swap services for NIO, Onvo and Firefly models. The newly surfaced images indicate that the Firefly is nearing full integration with the next-generation service architecture.

Source: Firefly

Firefly targets the A0-class EV market with pricing between 119,800 CNY and 125,800 CNY (c. $17,000–$17,900). Since its launch on April 19, 2023, the model has recorded more than 30,000 deliveries within its first 8 months. In November 2025, Firefly sold 6,088 units for a cumulative total of 32,270 deliveries.

NIO has confirmed that Firefly will offer a larger battery option, raising capacity by at least 50 percent from the current 42.1 kWh to more than 63 kWh. The upgrade will extend range from 420 km (261 miles) to over 600 km (373 miles) on the CLTC cycle. NIO expects a slight increase in weight but plans to preserve performance through adjustments to the motor and chassis.

The Firefly platform uses a liquid-cooled battery pack and therefore will not support CATL’s Chocolate swap system, which relies on air cooling. Differences in thermal architecture and communication protocols mean the model will operate exclusively within NIO’s 5th-generation swap network. Large-scale deployment of these stations is planned for the first half of 2026.

The model currently features a rear-mounted 105 kW permanent-magnet synchronous motor with 200 N·m of torque and a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph). It measures 4,003 × 1,781 × 1,557 mm with a 2,615 mm wheelbase and consumes approximately 12 kWh/100 km. The 42.1 kWh LFP battery supports DC fast charging from 10 percent to 80 percent in about 30 minutes and is compatible only with NIO operated swap stations.

Conversion rate: 1 USD = 7.041 CNY as of December 20, 2025