Nio has officially introduced its eagerly awaited Firefly brand in China, aiming to dominate the more budget-conscious segment of the electric vehicle (EV) market. The first vehicle under this new brand is a compact electric hatchback that comes with a unique feature: swappable batteries. This model is intended not just for China but for a global audience, including regions like Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Firefly EVs will be positioned as more affordable and smaller than Nio's other models, such as the Nio and Onvo, offering fewer features and a lower price point. The core objective of the Firefly brand is to make high-quality, small electric cars accessible to a wider customer base.
The Firefly’s design is centered around an urban hatchback, aptly named "Firefly." Its exterior features some design elements reminiscent of the now-discontinued Honda e, with a similar glasshouse, black roof, and matching pillars. One of the most striking features of the Firefly is its trio of circular LED headlights and taillights, which resemble the camera lenses of an iPhone. Additional design features include sleek flush door handles, six-spoke wheels, and smooth body surfacing. The lower bodywork of the Firefly is clad in plastic made from sustainable materials, reflecting the brand’s commitment to environmentally friendly practices. Although Firefly has not yet disclosed the vehicle’s dimensions, it is expected to compete with other models such as the BYD Dolphin, Citroen e-C3, Fiat Grande Panda, and Renault 5.
This compact EV also offers a practical 92-liter front trunk with layered storage and a drainage feature, providing more cargo space than many other EVs in the market. When the rear seats are folded down, the boot can accommodate up to 1,250 liters of storage space. While there are no interior photos available yet, earlier spy shots suggest a minimalist cabin with a Tesla-style infotainment screen and a digital instrument cluster. Firefly has also emphasized the vehicle's maneuverability, boasting a tight turning radius of just 9.4 meters, along with a “multi-scene automatic parking assist function” to ease parking in crowded urban environments.
Safety is a key focus for the Firefly, which has been designed to achieve five-star ratings in both C-NCAP and Euro-NCAP safety tests. The vehicle’s body structure is composed of 83.4% high-strength steel and aluminum, ensuring excellent durability. It also includes features like double anti-collision beams in the front doors and nine airbags as standard. The Firefly is touted to have the best torsional stiffness in its class, rated at 35,700 Nm, further enhancing its safety credentials.
Although specifics about the electric motor and battery have yet to be revealed, it is confirmed that the Firefly’s battery will be swappable, though it will not be compatible with Nio’s or Onvo’s existing battery swapping stations due to its smaller size.
Pre-orders for the Firefly are already open in China, with the starting price set at $20,400. The official launch is scheduled for April 2025. The model is expected to arrive in Europe by mid-2025, where it will likely carry a higher price tag. Nio plans to expand the availability of Firefly-branded vehicles to 25 countries by the end of 2025, according to reports from Car News China.