Who is NIO?
NIO is a Chinese electric car maker known for premium battery-powered cars and its battery-swapping approach. Its vehicles are designed to use batteries that can be charged or exchanged at compatible swap stations, and the company also offers a battery subscription model. That focus on the battery as a flexible part of ownership gives NIO a distinct place among electric car brands.
NIO models in Europe
The European Union registration figures span 2021 to 2025 and include eight models. The range covers SUVs, saloons and a touring estate: ES8, EL6, EL7 and EL8 are SUVs; ET5 and ET7 are saloons; and ET5 Touring adds an estate-shaped option. Firefly also appears in the 2025 figures.
The ES8 was the earliest model in this European list, appearing from 2021 to 2024. The ET7 and EL7 followed in 2022, then the EL6 in 2023. The ET5 and ET5 Touring joined that year, while the EL8 appears from 2024 and Firefly in 2025. The sequence shows the range broadening from an early SUV offering to include more body styles and models.
How the range developed
The names make the line-up easy to follow: ES and EL models are SUVs, while ET models are cars with a lower, saloon or touring profile. In the years shown, the ET5 Touring stands out as a practical estate-style choice alongside the ET5 saloon. The later arrival of EL8 extended the SUV line, while the 2025 appearance of Firefly marks another addition to the range.
All eight models are electric. Battery swapping is a notable part of NIO’s identity: compatible cars can use a charged replacement battery at a swap station, as well as conventional charging. The figures here show the company’s move into several electric body styles over time, rather than a shift between combustion and electric power.
Where NIO appears
The registration market represented here is the European Union, using EEA registration figures. ES8 has the longest-running record in the list, from 2021 to 2024, while ET7 runs from 2022 through 2025. EL6 and ET5 Touring appear from 2023 through 2025. These figures provide a European view of the models without implying that they describe NIO’s presence in every country where the brand operates.
Questions and answers
Are NIO cars electric?
Yes. Every model in this European line-up is an electric car.
Which NIO models are SUVs?
The SUV models listed are ES8, EL6, EL7 and EL8.
What is the difference between ET5 and ET5 Touring?
Both are electric ET5 models; the Touring is the estate-style version, while the ET5 is a saloon.
What is NIO known for?
NIO is known for premium electric cars and battery swapping, which lets compatible vehicles exchange a depleted battery for a charged one at a swap station.