Test review DrivOlution NIO ET5T 100 kWh

NIO NT2 platform

The NIO ET5T uses the new NT 2.0 platform and this as with the other models.

Drive system

The electric drive system includes a 150 kW induction motor at the front and a 210 kW permanent magnet motor at the rear. The permanent magnet motor uses the SiC power module to reduce energy consumption and noise. All models in the NIO range are four-wheel drive.

Battery pack

The NIO ET5T, like the sedan ET5, is currently available with two battery packs in particular:

• the NIO ET5T 75 kWh, 360 kW (490 hp), up to 436 km (WLTP) driving range
• the NIO ET5 100 kWh, 360 kW (490 hp), up to 560 km (WLTP) driving range
• the NIO ET5 150 kWh (not yet available), a Solid State Battery, with a driving range of around 1000 km. Already tested by NIO's CEO. 

Driving modes - 9 in total (5 basic and 4 specific)

The NIO ET5T features a comprehensive package of driving modes notably Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and customised. It allows you to change settings for acceleration, regenerative braking, steering force and climate control.

• Eco - with emphasis on increasing remaining driving range. 9.9s acceleration (acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h). Regenerative braking is set to standard.
• Comfort - balances performance and comfort with 7.9s of acceleration (acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h). Regenerative braking is set to low.
• Sport -  5.9s acceleration (acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h). Regenerative braking is set to low.
• Sport+ - 4.0s acceleration (acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h). Regenerative braking is set to low.
• Customised - your personalised driving mode

Additional driving modes

• Snow mode - smooth starting and driving in snow
• Sand mode - dynamic torque distribution for driving in sand
• Wet mode - for slippery roads
• Trailer - special adjustment for tow vehicles

Modes allow you to change settings for acceleration, regenerative braking, steering force and climate control.

Renewable energy recovery - 3 levels (very low, low and standard)

Regenerative braking depends on the driving mode selected. In Eco driving mode, it is set to "standard". In the other driving modes, it is "low". Coasting or sailing is not an option. As soon as you release the power pedal, the car starts slowing down. More or less deceleration you control with the power pedal. So the "one-pedal driving principle" applies. 
Test report Drivolution NIO ET5T 100 kWh powertrain

Consumtion - general

We covered 1,140 test kilometres with the NIO ET5T. This included four longer journeys from Merelbeke to Düsseldorf (D)and back and from Breukelen (NL) to Merelbeke and back. The on-board computer recorded a combined consumption of 19.1 kWh/100 km and this spread over 12 recorded trips. Taking into account the available battery capacity of 90 kWh, this consumption would get you a good 471 km*. 

Consumption per trip profile

A quick look at the trip profiles yields the following results:

• 2 trips outside the city (secondary roads of 30/50/70/90 km/h): the combined consumption comes to 17.1 kWh/100 km. This allows you to cover 526 km*.
• 7 trips on motorway resulting in a combined consumption of 18.6 kWh/100 km. Good for a driving range of 484 km*.
• 1 city trip recording 19.4 kWh/100 km of combined consumption. This would result in a driving range of 464 km*. 
• 2 trips are a mix of the above: this one yields a combined consumption of 22.7 kWh/100 km, taking you 396 km*.

Consumption per driving mode

• 8 out of 12 trips we opted for Eco driving mode: it yielded a combined consumption of 19.0 kWh/100 km.
• 4 out of 12 trips we chose Comfort driving mode. Good for a combined consumption of 19.3 kWh/100 km.

Important, we use the NIO ET5T in a day-to-day setting. We use the car in normal traffic and this means that we depend on various conditions including, among others, traffic density, weather conditions and the chosen trip profile (secondary roads, motorway, city). The results given therefore always reflect a snapshot in time. We note that it is mainly the driving style, including the choice of speed, that affects consumption and less the chosen driving mode.

Most of the test kilometres we reeled off on motorways and this on longer trips than classic. It brings us to a total of958 km and a combined consumption of 19.2 kWh/100 km.

• trip Merelbeke -Düsseldorf (D), with stops in Wijgmaal and Hilden (D) for a battery change, yielded a combined consumption of 18.3 kWh/100 km. In total, we covered 303 km and with 5 people on board.
• the trip Düsseldorf (D) - Wijgmaal - Merelbeke yielded a consumption of 21.6 kWh/100 km. On the way back, rain was on the cards. We covered 269 km and this too with 5 people on board.
• the 194-km Breukelen (NL) - Merelbeke trip accounted for consumption of 18.4 kWh/100 km.
• the 192 km Merelbeke-Breukelen (NL) trip yielded consumption of 18.6 kWh/100 km.

Battery - rent/lease or buy 

The NIO ET5 is available including the battery or in combination with a Battery as a Service (BaaS), subscription in which the battery is leased and can be swapped in the NIO Power Swap Stations. Several stations are already operational in countries where NIO is distributed. 

Charging - AC, DC and a Battery Swap (Hilden, Germany)

We did more kilometres with the NIO ET5T than what we are used to. It also included a few longer distances. In total, we did four charging sessions and a battery swap:

• once via a charging station (AC)
• three times via a rapid charger (DC)
• In addition, we took the opportunity to do a battery swap in Hilden, Germany. It has been and remains a fantastic experience. 

The highest charged driving range is 515 km. We add that we charged the battery to an SoC (State of Charge)of 100% (AC) and this because of the distance. The charging time was six hours and twenty-eight minutes. The charging time always depends on the SoC at the start of the charge. 

On fast-charges, we usually charge to 80% or according to what we need. Unfortunately, we have no information from the battery swap. 
It remains important to anticipate when is coming when it comes to charging. We always strive to keep the SoC between 20 and 80%. And always play on certainty that we might opt for an extra charge even when it is not neccessary.

Drive

The NIO ET5T drives as pleasantly as the sedan. Rear visibility is better due to the tailgate. It certainly doesn't lack punch, depending of course on the driving mode chosen.  The steering wheel lies well in the hand. The seat adjustment is electric and can be saved. The operation of the functions takes some getting used to but once mastered does not pose any problems. The large windscreen offers optimal visibility.

PanoCinema cockpit

The classic cockpit nicely built around the driver is disappearing more and more. In contrast, we are moving towards open space. It is no different with the NIO ET5. Central to the open space are the central 12.8-inch AMOLED display and a 10.2-inch HDR instrument panel. Everything is clearly legible. By the way, you can choose between day and night or have this done automatically.

Ambient lighting - 256 colours available

You adjust the mood lighting completely to your mood of the day.

Driver display - clear

The driver display includes basic information. Information regarding consumption is rather limited. On the central display, however, you can perfectly see where the energy goes.

NOMI Mate (the intelligent digital assistant) - AI made more human

Sometimes in need of some company? Then Nomi can help. Nomi is NIO's cute-looking voice assistant. She greets you kindly when you board with a hand gesture and a "Hey there". She also looks at you. She only communicates in English for now. Meanwhile, she is fully immersing herself in the Dutch language. She also responds to commands, if of course you pronounce them correctly.  

Luggage compartment - from 450 litres to 1,300 litres

Logically, the ET5T has a larger boot space than the sedan version. The boot capacity is 450 litres. Fold down the rear seats and you end up with a capacity of 1,300 litres. You can fold down the rear seats in three parts, taking a maximum of 1,300 litres with you. 

Tow bar possible - yes

Want to tow a trailer? No problem. The NIO ET5T 100 kWh has a trailer package as standard. This allows you to tow a braked trailer up to 750 kg and up to 1,400 kg with a braked version.

Ordinary tailgate

The NIO ET5T features a regular tailgate and not a trunk like the sedan version. More practical.

Like the NIO ET5, the NIO ET5T features a wide range of driving assistance systems when it comes to safety and comfort. With NIO Aquila Super Sensing and NIO Adam Super Computing, the NIO ET5T offers a safe, semi-autonomous and intelligent driving experience in all conditions during driving, parking and battery changes. NIO Aquila Super Sensing features 33 powerful sensors, including an ultra-long-range high-resolution LiDAR, seven 8MP high-resolution cameras, four 3MP light-sensitive cameras, an ADMS (Advanced Driver Monitoring System), five millimetre-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, GPS, IMU, and HOD. NIO Aquila redefines the standard of intelligent driving sensor systems in production models. 

• Forward Collision Warning (FCW) & Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
• Lane Change Alert (LCA) - Lane Departure Warning (LDW) - Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Door Open Warning (DOW)
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Brake (RCTA-B) & Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA)
• Emergency Active Stop (EAS) & Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK)
• Advanced Driver Monitoring System (ADMS)
• Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (i-ACC)
• Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
• Dynamic Environment Simulation & Display (ESD)
• Shiftless Automatic Parking Assist with Fusion (S-APA with Fusion)
• Power Swap with Assisted Parking (PSAP)
• Side Distance Indication System (SDIS)
• Lane Centering Control (LCC) & Active Lane Change (ALC)
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

The systems are a bit on the sensitive side. As in the NIO ET5, Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and Lane Centering Control (LCC) sometimes react a bit abruptly. Also be careful with the Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR). It does not always take parallel roads into account and dynamic signs are not always recognised either. So staying vigilant is the message. NOMI also ticks you off quickly if you are distracted for too long.

This simulation gives you an idea of what is possible in terms of driving range and this is based on realised trip consumption. It goes without saying that the figures shown are a theoretical indication. Moreover, they are always snapshots. 

Buy or rent

As with NIO's other models, you can choose from several options when buying a NIO ET5T. It remains a USP (Unique Selling Point) of NIO. We summarise.

• You can choose the normal course of action and that is to proceed with the purchase of the ET5T, including the battery. And what does the battery cost? For the 75 kWh you can count on €12,000 and for the 100 kWh €21,000. This brings the total price of the car, including battery, to 62,700 euros for the 75 kWh version and 71,700 euros for the 100 kWh version. Note that these are Dutch prices.
• Or you buy the vehicle in combination with BaaS. This means that you do not purchase the battery but rent it. In this case, you pay a monthly fee. More info on this can be found at NIO Subscription. The monthly rent (subscription) depends on the battery type chosen. Prices range between 169 euros (VATi) for the 75 kWh and 289 euros (VATi) for the 100 kWh. Again, these are Dutch prices. 

The difference between Flex and Fixed (NIO Subscription)

• Both tariffs have their advantages: With a flexible subscription, you change your NIO as often as you want. With a fixed contract, you select your NIO once and start at a lower but fixed price.

Only in the case of purchasing the vehicle in combination with BaaS will you have access to the NIO Power Swap network and battery upgrade services.

How does it work?

Swapping or swapping the battery works very easily. You search for the a swap station in the navigation. You then reserve the battery in advance. The battery is ordered just before you reach the NIO Swap Station. When you arrive at the Swap Station, park your car in the indicated space (you will be guided). Then click start and your NIO ET5T will park itself in the station. So you don't have to manoeuvre yourself. All you have to do now is confirm the swap and the procedure starts. You are not allowed to leave the vehicle during the swap. If you do, the process stops for safety reasons. All this takes up to 10 minutes. At the green light, you leave the station with a full battery (90%). This video shows you exactly how it works. NIO | NIO Power

Other advantages of the BaaS

You cannot get a bad battery as they are fully checked between swaps. So you always leave with a battery that is in good condition. Moreover, the batteries are charged at a power between 20 and 80 kW to guarantee maximum lifetime.

Cons?

Of course, you won't yet find a Battery Swap Station on every street corner. Currently, there are now 34 swap stations installed in Europe and 9 in the Netherlands . The European battery swap stations are located in Norway, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. By 2025, NIO aims to have 120 stations. NIO Chargemap

Not bad in terms of consumption and driving range when compared to the WLTP figures. As always, consumption and electric driving range are influenced by a large number of factors.