NIO Firefly

NIO Firefly Compact Electric Car: Stylish Urban Commuter with Big Tech

NIO Firefly made its debut with one clear goal: take the fight to legacy hatchbacks and overstyled subcompacts by offering serious tech-forward value in an affordable urban electric vehicle. Cooked up by NIO’s new sub-brand, it’s an ambitious entry straight out of China, designed for modern city dwellers who demand more than a badge and four wheels. At a starting price of just $16,500 (approx. £12,800 / €15,100), this compact electric car packs serious punch for its class, both in aesthetics and features.

• Manufactured in China and released in April 2025 under the Firefly nameplate by NIO
• Initial sales launched in the domestic market, with European rollout planned for 2025
• Base pricing starts from $16,500 in China and around €30,000 ($32,000) in Europe
• Targets the premium hatchback electric vehicle segment against Mini Cooper Electric, Smart #1, and Renault 5

Firefly Specs: Battery, Powertrain, and Performance

Battery

Here’s the scoop on the battery tech: NIO didn’t go halfway on this one. The Firefly uses a 42.1 kWh LFP pack sourced from Sunwoda, cranking out a rated range of 420 km (261 mi) on CLTC. Real-world WLTP figures? A more grounded 330 km (205 mi). It’s a modest but respectable number for a daily commuter. Charging speeds are decent too—11 kW AC for your home wall box, or 100 kW DC fast charging for when time is tight. A quick coffee and you’re back on the road: 10–80% in 29 minutes.

• Battery capacity: 42.1 kWh (LFP)
• CLTC range: 420 km (261 mi)
• WLTP range: approx. 330 km (205 mi)
• Charging time (DC): 10–80% in 29 min @ 100 kW

Performance

Don’t expect it to dust Teslas at the light, but for city runs, the Firefly has enough juice. One rear-mounted motor puts down 105 kW (141 hp) and 200 Nm of torque. That means a 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) time of 8.1 seconds—enough to zip through traffic, not enough to raise eyebrows. Top speed clocks in at 150 km/h (93 mph). With a low center of gravity and compact footprint, it’s fun around corners, with a tidy turning radius of just 4.7 meters (15.4 ft). You’ll outmaneuver most cars in rush hour without breaking a sweat.

• Power: 141 hp (105 kW)
• Torque: 200 Nm (147.5 lb-ft)
• Top speed: 150 km/h (93 mph)
• Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 8.1 seconds
• Drive: Rear-wheel drive (RWD)

One variant is currently offered, priced at $16,500 with battery included (approx. £12,800 / €15,100), or opt into the BaaS program for $11,100 (approx. £8,600 / €10,100) and rent the pack monthly for $55. Note: battery-swapping stations for Firefly are in development but currently not fully supported.

Exterior and Interior: Bauhaus Outside, Lounge Inside

Exterior

The Firefly’s look is where it takes a swing. Some call it cute, others say it’s staring at you—the triple-circle LED headlights and taillights, joined by a slick black strip, are unmistakable. Think spider eyes or iPhone cameras—whichever way you see it, it’s turning heads. Measuring 4,003 mm (157.5 in) long and 1,781 mm (70.1 in) wide, it fits urban garages like a glove. Throw in bold hues like lavender, lime, and marble, and it’s got personality. The clamshell rear hatch and spoiler keep it aerodynamic, while flush handles and a blacked-out roof keep things sharp. It’s Bauhaus EV styling with a Gen-Z twist.

Interior

Step inside and the vibe is straight-up upscale. There’s vegan leather on the seats, 256-color ambient lighting on the dash, and a minimalist layout that feels more cocktail lounge than econobox. A 13.2-inch floating touchscreen anchors the console, while a 6-inch driver’s display tucked behind the wheel gives off major spaceship vibes. No Nomi assistant here—replaced with Lumo, a ChatGPT-powered voice control that’s surprisingly snappy. Rear legroom is generous thanks to the stretched wheelbase, and the front bench-style seat lets you slide over without fuss. Storage? How about a 92-liter frunk and 404 liters (14.3 cu ft) of trunk space, expanding to 1,345 liters (47.5 cu ft) when folded. Clever use of space wins the day.

Pros and Cons:

Pros

• Competitive starting price from $16,500 (approx. £12,800 / €15,100)
• Stylish compact electric car design with customizable vibrant colors
• Spacious cabin and clever storage solutions including large frunk
• Fast charging up to 100 kW and support for V2L function
• ChatGPT-powered AI voice assistant and 256-color ambient lighting
• Rear-wheel drive agility with tight 4.7-meter turning radius
• Strong ADAS tech with 360-degree camera and high-end sensors

Cons

• Battery-swapping stations not yet compatible or widely available
• WLTP range (205 mi) falls short of some rivals like VW ID.3
• Handling lacks the razor-sharp feel of Mini Cooper Electric
• Minimalist interior may feel bland to fans of expressive design
• Voice assistant lacks brand identity compared to NIO’s Nomi

Conclusion: Affordable Innovation Wrapped in Personality

For those eyeing an affordable urban electric vehicle with real character, NIO Firefly delivers a fresh alternative. It’s built for daily drives, loaded with clever tech features, and priced for real people—not just badge chasers. While it has a few rough edges, the mix of ChatGPT-powered tech, compact agility, and thoughtful packaging makes it a seriously smart play for anyone tired of boring city EVs.

News - 04.08.2025 The Firefly EV hatchback from Nio will start deliveries in Norway and the Netherlands on August 14. Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland, and Romania will follow shortly after. The Firefly EV is a small car aimed at urban mobility with a 42.1 kWh battery and a 141 hp e-motor.

            15.08.2025 The Nio’s Firefly EV electric hatchback started deliveries in Norway and the Netherlands, marking its foray into Europe. This small EV designed for urban mobility starts at 279,900 NOK (27,500 USD) in Norway. Its starting price in the Netherlands is 29,900 EUR (34,940 USD).

Firefly is an electric brand created by Nio mainly for the European market. Its current model line comprises a single model called Firefly EV. It is a small hatchback launched in China in April 2025 with a price range of 119,800 – 125,800 yuan (16,610 – 17,440 USD). The cumulative sales volume of the Firefly EV reached 10,209 units domestically, according to China EV DataTracker.

Nio aims to launch the Firefly EV in several European countries, with Norway and the Netherlands as the first two points on the roadmap. In the future, Firefly will enter Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland, and Romania. On August 14, Firefly EV reportedly began deliveries in Norway and the Netherlands.