DETROIT – NIO’s 900V drive system rolled off the production line Wednesday, according to the Chinese EV maker. NIO’s (NIO) “Thunder” 900V electric drive system (EDS) can add over 150 miles (255 km) with a five-minute fast charge.
Update: Lucid Motors reached out to Electrek to confirm that the electrical architecture of its Lucid Air stands at 924V. It has been in production since 2021, making it the first production EV with a 900V architecture. The Lucid Air can add 300 miles of range in 21 minutes. Does it qualify as “mass produced?” NIO perhaps is contending it isn’t. Regardless, there’s a new 900V system on the block.
NIO announced the milestone Wednesday after building its one-millionth EDS. NIO’s Porsche/Mercedes-rivaling ET9 premium EV will be the first to feature the new tech.
The ET9 was unveiled in December aimed at “the new generation of high-end business users.” NIO packed the luxury EV with its latest tech for a “perfect package of flagship-style exterior, spacious interior, immersive experience, efficient recharging.”
This includes the world’s first mass-produced 900V EV drive system with up to 925V, 600 kW peak power at 765A.
NIO claims the electric motors in the front and rear are smaller and 30% lighter to improve efficiency. Meanwhile, the smaller units provide more interior space.
The ET9 will be the first to use a 925V W-Pin synchronous permanent magnet electric motor (340 kW peak power). At just 174 lbs (79 kg), the unit provides 4.3 kW/kg power density, which NIO claims is the highest among asynchronous induction EV motors. The front motor features 180 kW peak power with 2.6 kW/kg power density.
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