Nio Inc (NYSE: NIO) has officially started offering test drives for its highly anticipated third-generation ES8 in China. The all-new electric SUV is set to be officially launched in just 10 days, with Nio Day 2025 scheduled for September 20 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang.
Starting from today, interested customers can book test drives for the ES8 at over 500 Nio stores across 152 cities nationwide. The company emphasized the importance of experiencing the vehicle firsthand, stating, “You have to try it to know what the ultimate choice in premium three-row SUVs is.”
The third-generation ES8 made its debut on August 21, with pre-sales commencing shortly after. Nio has introduced significant upgrades to the large SUV while also lowering its price compared to the previous model. The ES8 now comes standard with a 100-kWh battery pack and starts at RMB 416,800 ($58,530) during the pre-sales period.
One notable feature of the new ES8 is the availability of the Battery as a Service (BaaS) battery rental plan, which offers a lower starting price of RMB 308,800. Despite the competitive pricing, Nio management has stated that the new ES8 still maintains a healthy gross margin due to cost efficiencies.
The ES8 has already garnered significant interest from consumers, with Nio showrooms reporting high visitor traffic over the past few weekends. However, the ES8 will soon be replaced as Nio’s flagship SUV by the higher-end ES9, which was recently teased in spy photos revealing its larger size.
As Nio continues to innovate and expand its electric vehicle lineup, the third-generation ES8 represents a milestone in the company’s journey towards sustainable mobility. With test drives now available and the official launch just around the corner, Nio enthusiasts and prospective buyers alike can look forward to experiencing the latest advancements in electric SUV technology firsthand.
Stay tuned for more updates on Nio’s ES8 and other upcoming models as the company continues to drive forward in the world of electric vehicles.
