Firefly EV

• Nio to enter Singapore with Wearnes Automotive as partner – Firefly EV launching in 2026; Malaysia next?

  In Cars, International News, Nio / By Gerard Lye / 18 August 2025 5:10 pm / 8 comments

  

  Nio today officially announced it would sell its first-ever right-hand drive model, the Firefly EV, in Singapore. In an official release, the Chinese automaker said it is partnering with Wearnes Automotive to sell the electric hatchback in the island country in 2026.

  First launched in China in December last year, the Firefly EV is offered in two variants priced at 119,800 and 125,800 yuan (about RM70k and RM74k). Both variants are made more affordable when optioned with the battery-as-a-service (BaaS) programme, which brings with it a monthly subscription fee of 399 yuan (RM235).

  With BaaS, the base Free (Zizai) variant goes for 79,800 yuan (RM47k), while the top-spec Luminous (Faguang) retails for 85,800 yuan (RM50k) – savings of 40,000 yuan (RM24k). Both variants share the same powertrain featuring a 42.1-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery and a rear electric motor rated at 143 PS (141 hp or 105 kW) and 200 Nm of torque.

  

  

  This setup is good for a CLTC-rated range of 420 km and the battery can be charged from 10-80% in 29 minutes with a DC input of 100 kW. The EV also supports AC charging at 7 kW and comes with a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system capable of delivering 3.68 kW.

  Measuring 4,003 mm long, 1,781 mm wide, 1,557 mm tall and with a 2,615 mm wheelbase, the five-seat Firefly EV is smaller than the BYD Dolphin, but bigger than the BYD Atto 1/Seagull/Dolphin Mini/Dolphin Surf. The Firefly is closest in footprint to the Dongfeng Box and Neta V.

  The confirmation of an entry into Singapore is part of Nio’s plan to expand to more markets. In its announcement, the company also said it is partnering with Horizontes Cielo Azul Movilidad in Costa Rica to bring Nio EL8 (ES8 in China), EL6 (ES6 in China), ET5, ET5 Touring (ET5T in China), and Onvo L60. Another named market is Uzbekistan, which will get the same models as Costa Rica, minus the ET5, through Nio’s local partner Abu Sahiy Motors.

  GALLERY: Nio Firefly at Auto Shanghai 2025

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  8 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Firefly EV gains BaaS plan in China – battery rental lowers purchase price by up to 33.3%; now fr RM47k

  In Cars, International News, Nio / By Gerard Lye / 24 June 2025 3:37 pm / 3 comments

  

  Nio has announced a new Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) plan for the Firefly that significantly reduces the upfront cost of the electric vehicle (EV) from its new sub-brand.

  When the Firefly was launched in China on April 19 this year, the EV was priced at 119,800 yuan (about RM71k) for the Free (Zizai) variant, while the Luminous (Faguang) sold for 125,800 yuan (RM74k).

  With the new battery rental subscription plan, both variants are cheaper by 40,000 yuan (RM24k) at 79,800 yuan (RM47k) and 85,800 yuan (RM51k) respectively. The monthly fee for the BaaS plan is 399 yuan (RM236). The idea of renting a battery to lower the initial purchase cost isn’t new among automakers, with Perodua set to offer the service with its first EV.

  Both variants feature a 42.1-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that is good for a CLTC-rated range of 420 km and will charge from 10-80% in 29 minutes with a DC input of 100 kW. The EV also supports AC charging at 7 kW and comes with a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system capable of delivering 3.68 kW.

  The battery powers a rear electric motor rated at 143 PS (141 hp or 105 kW) and 200 Nm of torque, enabling a top speed of 150 km/h. The Firefly has a claimed electricity consumption of 10.9 kWh per 100 km.

  

  

  In terms of dimensions, the Firefly measures 4,003 mm long, 1,781 mm wide, 1,557 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,615 mm. The compact size allows for a turning radius of just 4.7 metres while still able to accommodate up to five passengers. For storage, the frunk has a capacity of 92 litres, while the rear boot offers 335 litres, expandable to 1,253 litres with the second-row, 60:40 split-folding seats down.

  The EV features front McPherson struts and a rear five-link setup, 18-inch wheels, LED exterior lighting, rain-sensing wipers, 256-colour ambient lighting, an air-cooled 50-watt wireless charger, 60- and 18-watt USB-C ports, 14 speakers with 7.1 Dolby Atmos and 640 watts of amplification, a powered tailgate, a powered driver’s seat, heated front seats, telematics, a 6-inch digital instrument cluster, a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen and a comprehensive ADAS suite.

  The top-spec variant gets additional features such as a storage space under the passenger seat (5.4 litres) in addition to the standard 29-litre space under the rear seats, a powered front passenger seat as well as front seat ventilation and lumbar adjustment.

  GALLERY: Nio Firefly at Auto Shanghai 2025

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  3 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Firefly EV shown at Auto Shanghai 2025 – compact EV confirmed for Singapore; will it head to Malaysia next?

  In Cars, International News, Nio / By Mick Chan / 24 April 2025 7:17 pm / 4 comments

  

  Officially unveiled at the end of last year, the Firefly EV has now been shown at the ongoing Auto Shanghai 2025 in China. Emerging from Nio sub-brand firefly, the brand had announced earlier this week that the right-hand-drive version of its eponymous compact electric vehicle will be ready by October this year, with the United Kingdom and Southeast Asia being the first markets to receive it.

  Having gone on sale in China in two variants, priced from RMB119,800 (RM72k) to RMB125,800 (RM75k) including battery, buyers in China will also have the option of renting batteries through a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) programme, which is expected to decrease the price of these variants by tens of thousands of yuan.

  Safety comes with a five-star C-NCAP rating, a body built using 83.4% high-strength steel, torsional rigidity of 35,700 Nm per degree, nine airbags and ADAS features.

  

  Measuring 4,003 mm long, 1,781 mm wide and 1,557 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,615 mm, the Firefly is slightly smaller than the BYD Dolphin, but larger than the BYD Seagull. Storage in the Firefly is comprised of a 95-litre frunk and a 1,250-litre boot (with the rear seats folded), while turning radius is 4.7 metres.

  The display car at Auto Shanghai 2025 offers us a look inside, revealing an interior layout that is of the now-commonplace dual screens on a minimalist dashboard; the steering wheel is a two-spoke multifunction unit.

  

  

  

  

  The flat floor and lack of central tunnel connecting the dashboard and centre console means that front seat occupants have room to move between seats, while the centre console features a cupholder and a storage recess ahead of the centre armrest with its own compartment. Similarly, rear seat occupants benefit from the flat floor, and the rear seat bench can be lifted to reveal two more storage compartments.

  With a distributorship in Singapore expected to be signed for the brand this week, the brand’s entry into a right-hand-drive market could open the door to an introduction to Malaysia as well. What do you think of the Firefly?

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  4 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Firefly EV – RHD version confirmed for Singapore; Nio’s affordable sub-brand coming to Malaysia next?

  In Cars, International News, Nio / By Jonathan James Tan / 22 April 2025 1:40 pm / 6 comments

  

  Nio has announced that the right-hand drive (RHD) version of its Firefly EV will be ready by October, and that it’ll first be available in the UK and Southeast Asia, with a Singaporean distributorship expected to be signed this week, reports CnEVPost.

  Nio co-founder and president Qin Lihong said at a media roundtable in Shanghai today that the carmaker’s new sub-brand (also called firefly) will pick the right time between June and August to launch in Europe, and that it will be in about 20 overseas markets by year-end. The MINI– and smart-fighter launched in China earlier this month in two variants, priced at RMB119,800 (RM72k) and RMB125,800 (RM75k) respectively.

  These prices include the battery, but Chinese buyers will soon be able to purchase the car without the battery, renting it instead through a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) programme, which should reduce the price by tens of thousands of yuan, CnEVPost reports.

  

  

  

  Features include swappable batteries (in collaboration with CATL), a 4.7-metre turning radius, a 92-litre frunk, a 1,250-litre boot volume with the rear seats folded, a five-star C-NCAP safety rating, an 83.4% high-strength steel body, a 35,700 Nm/degree torsional rigidity, nine airbags and ADAS.

  Design-wise, the Firefly hatchback gives off Honda e vibes, with standout cues being distinctive ‘trio’ head and tail lamps. The EV was penned by Nio’s design vice president Kris Tomasson, who has worked before at BMW and Ford. The minimalist interior features two large displays and a two-spoke steering wheel.

  At 4,003 mm long, 1,781 mm wide and 1,557 mm tall, with a 2,615 mm wheelbase, the five-seat Firefly is very slightly smaller all round than a BYD Dolphin, but bigger than a BYD Seagull/Dolphin Surf. What are your thoughts on something like this for Malaysia?

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  6 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Nio signs new deal to adopt CATL’s Choco-SEB battery swap standard – Firefly EVs to integrate technology

  In Cars, International News, Nio / By Gerard Lye / 19 March 2025 12:32 pm / 0 comment

  

  Nio and CATL have signed a strategic partnership with the goal of building the world’s largest battery swapping network. The deal will also include capital cooperation, with CATL currently advancing an investment capped at 2.5 billion yuan (around RM1.5 billion) in Nio Power.

  In an official release, CATL said it will support Nio in developing a battery swapping network, while its Choco-Swap technical standards and network will be introduced to the subsequent newly developed models of firefly, which is Nio’s new brand that launched last December.

  CATL entered the battery swap business in January 2022 with the launch of its EVOGO battery swap brand. In December 2024, it revealed two battery packs that meet its Choco-SEB (Swapping Electric Block) standard, the #20 and #25.

  

  Both batteries are available with either lithium iron phosphate (LFP) or nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistries but with differing energy capacities. The #20 is offered as a 42-kWh LFP or 52-kWh NMC unit, while the #25, which is suited for larger vehicle classes, is available with 56-kWh LFP or 70-kWh NMC capacities.

  Since introducing Choco-SEB, CATL said 10 EVs will support the battery swap standard, with the Firefly by Nio being another to join the list. It was previously reported that the Firefly would not be compatible with Nio Power’s existing battery swap stations, and now we know why.

  The battery swap networks of both parties will operate in parallel, but this could change moving forward. “In the future, both parties will jointly drive the formulation and adoption of national standards for battery swapping technology in China, further enhancing battery compatibility across various brands and models,” CATL said in its release.

   

  0 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Nio officially reveals new Firefly EV in China – pre-orders from RM91k; launching in Europe in 1H 2025

  In Cars, International News, Nio / By Gerard Lye / 23 December 2024 11:14 am / 0 comment

  

  Nio has officially launched its new firefly sub-brand at the recent Nio Day 2024, with the first model being offered simply called Firefly. The new electric vehicle (EV) will not only be sold in China, as there are plans for an introduction in Europe sometime in the first half of 2025.

  Pre-orders for the Firefly have already started in China with a starting price of 148,800 yuan (about RM91k), with deliveries set to commence in April next year. For now, the company is not providing much in the way of details relating to the powertrain but it has been reported that the EV will come with Nio’s battery swapping technology.

  In one of the videos posted on firefly’s Weibo page, the brand pits its offering against the latest MINI Cooper Electric as well as the smart #1 on a small track to emphasise the Firefly’s superior manoeuvrability with a turning radius of just 4.7 metres. Nio says this makes its EV particularly suitable for narrow European streets.

  

  

  

  Various parking assistance features were also touted in a separate video, and the company is also exceptionally proud of the Firefly’s 92-litre frunk and boot space of 1,250 litres with the rear seats folded down.

  The Firefly also boasts a five-star rating from C-NCAP and has a body structure that is 83.4% high-strength steel. As a result, its torsional rigidity is at 35,700 Nm/degree, which is the highest in its class according to Nio, with nine airbags and an ADAS suite also fitted.

  As for the design, the Firefly hatchback gives off Honda e vibes, with standout cues being distinctive “trio” headlamps and taillights. The EV was penned by Nio’s design vice president Kris Tomasson, who has worked in BMW and Ford previously. No interior images were released, but the Firefly’s cabin appears to follow a minimalistic theme with a pair of large displays and two-spoke steering wheel.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  
  

   

  0 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Nio to launch new firefly sub-brand on December 21 – first model is an EV hatchback on sale in 1H 2025

  In Cars, International News, Nio / By Gerard Lye / 20 December 2024 11:47 am / 3 comments

  

  Nio has announced its third brand called firefly, which will be launched on December 21 during Nio Day 2024. firefly (actually spelt in lower case) will join the namesake and premium Nio brand as well as the more family-oriented Onvo, the latter making its debut in May this year.

  According to the Shanghai-based automaker, firefly is positioned in the “boutique compact car market” and is described as a “a symbol of innovation and sophistication in a smaller package” in the company’s press release.

  The first firefly model will go on sale in the first half of 2025, although the company isn’t providing much in the way of details for now. However, CarNewsChina reports that the new brand will initially debut a compact electric hatchback with a swappable battery, which has been a longstanding technology that Nio includes in its offerings.

  Back in July, Nio founder, chairman and CEO William Li confirmed that firefly vehicles will get their own dedicated battery swap stations. As such, the new brand will not share existing stations with the Nio and Onvo brands, likely due to packaging reasons considering the more compact dimensions.

  firefly’s first model is expected to be priced between 100,000 and 200,000 yuan (about RM62k and RM124) – possibly less with the company’s Battery as a Service (BaaS) factored in. This fits in with the brand’s positioning under Onvo, which currently offers the L60 that starts from 206,900 yuan (RM128k), and will enable Nio to take on the BYD Dolphin and other EVs that are within said price range.

   

  3 comments | Leave a comment?

   

Latest Fuel Prices