Source: MIIT

NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO; HKG: 9866) has filed MIIT regulatory documents in China for its upcoming ES9 flagship electric SUV, confirming a maximum CLTC-rated range of 620 km (385 miles) with a 102-kWh battery pack, ahead of a technical launch tentatively scheduled for around April 10, 2026.

The filing lists the ES9 with official dimensions of 5,365 mm in length, 2,029 mm in width, and 1,870 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,250 mm. The size positions the ES9 as larger than NIO’s third-generation ES8, currently its largest electric SUV in China.

NIO co-founder and president Qin Lihong said at a January user engagement event that the ES9’s technical launch is planned for around April 10, though the date may change. The timing suggests the model will make its public debut at the 19th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2026), which runs from April 24 to May 3, 2026.

The ES9 is intended to strengthen NIO’s presence in China’s large, premium SUV segment, where the Li Auto L9 and Huawei-backed AITO M9 have accumulated more than 250,000 combined deliveries. NIO founder, chairman and CEO William Li has stated internally that the RMB 500,000 SUV market is not limited to Li Auto and AITO.

Source: MIIT

Regulatory data shows the ES9 will use a 102-kWh ternary lithium battery pack weighing 545 kg, with an energy density of 187 Wh/kg. Depending on configuration, curb weight is listed at 2,845 kg, 2,870 kg, or 2,915 kg. Corresponding CLTC-rated ranges are 620 km (385 miles), 600 km (373 miles), and 580 km (360 miles).

For comparison, NIO’s third-generation ES8 achieves a CLTC-rated range of 635 km (395 miles) with the same 102-kWh battery, indicating the ES9’s larger body and higher mass reduce overall efficiency.

The ES9 is listed with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain, consisting of a 180-kW front motor and a 340-kW rear motor, for a combined output of 520 kW. Earlier market speculation pointed to a possible three-motor version with output as high as 720 kW and 0–100 km/h acceleration of around 3.9 seconds, but no such variant appears in the current regulatory filing.

Source: MIIT

William Li said on January 6 that the ES9 has completed the Tooling Trial manufacturing phase and is entering Pre-Production. He also said that all new technologies deployed on the ET9 sedan would be applied to the ES9, and that the SUV is positioned to be more suitable for business use than the ES8.

Technology features expected on the ES9 include dual Shenji NX 9031 smart driving chips and the SkyRide chassis, first introduced on the ET9. Chinese reporting also indicates the ES9 may offer rear-wheel steering to improve maneuverability for a vehicle exceeding 5.3 meters in length.

The ES9 is also expected to adopt a 900V high-voltage electrical architecture. NIO has said such systems can enable ultra-fast charging, with the potential to add more than 200 km (124 miles) of range in approximately five minutes under ideal conditions. However, limited availability of compatible 900V charging infrastructure could constrain real-world use of those charging speeds.

Battery swapping remains a central element of NIO’s ownership model. The company has said its network has surpassed 90 million cumulative battery swaps, adding the most recent 10 million in about 100 days. NIO operates more than 3,500 battery swap stations nationwide, including more than 1,000 on highways.

Pricing has not been announced. Market estimates place the ES9 in the 500,000 to 600,000 CNY range (approximately $72,400 to $86,800), with the potential for a lower upfront price if NIO applies its Battery-as-a-Service subscription model. For reference, the third-generation ES8 launched on September 20, 2025, with a starting price of 406,800 CNY (c. $58,900) including the battery.

As NIO prepares for the ES9’s launch, the model represents a test of whether the company can regain momentum in the large premium SUV segment while scaling new technologies and its battery swap network at the flagship level.

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