Onvo Expands EV Portfolio with L80 SUV Launch and Battery Swap Network Growth

China-based Nio sub-brand Onvo marked the second anniversary of its brand launch as the company prepared to officially introduce the new Onvo L80 large five-seater electric SUV. The launch event for the latest model is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm Beijing time, reflecting the company’s continued push to strengthen its position in the competitive mass-market electric vehicle segment. The latest addition expands Onvo’s product lineup while reinforcing the brand’s long-term electrification strategy focused on smart mobility and energy infrastructure development.

In an open letter released on the occasion, Nio founder, chairman, and chief executive officer William Li stated that the Onvo brand has already been selected by more than 150,000 families over the past two years. He also noted that the company surpassed an annual delivery volume of 100,000 vehicles during 2025. Onvo officially entered the market on May 15, 2024, and launched its first model, the L60 mid-size five-seater electric SUV, on September 19, 2024. The brand has since continued to expand its portfolio to capture a larger share of the growing electric SUV market.

The company is also preparing another update for the L60 model. The refreshed version is expected to enter the pre-sales phase later this month before its official market launch in June. Onvo had earlier introduced an update for the L60 during September last year as part of its product enhancement strategy aimed at improving competitiveness in the fast-evolving electric vehicle market. The consistent refresh cycle highlights the company’s focus on maintaining product relevance and technological appeal for consumers.

Onvo’s second production model, the L90 large electric SUV, was initially launched on July 31, 2025. The company later introduced the 2026 version of the L90 on April 21 this year. The new L80 now becomes the third model in the Onvo lineup. Pre-sales for the L80 began on April 28, with the vehicle carrying a starting pre-sales price of 245,800 yuan including the battery pack. The pricing strategy positions the model competitively within the premium electric SUV category while offering multiple ownership options to customers.

Consumers choosing the company’s BaaS (battery as a service) subscription model can purchase the L80 at a significantly lower starting price of 159,800 yuan. The battery rental approach is intended to reduce the initial ownership cost while giving customers greater flexibility in vehicle usage and battery upgrades. This business model has remained one of the key differentiators for Nio and its Onvo brand within the broader electric vehicle industry, particularly in markets prioritizing affordability and charging convenience.

Onvo L80 Smart Driving Technology and Infrastructure Strategy

The Onvo L80 will continue the brand’s dual-track smart driving technology roadmap by offering both a high-end LiDAR-equipped version and a pure vision-based variant. The premium configuration integrates Nio’s self-developed Shenji NX9031 chip to support advanced intelligent driving functions and enhanced vehicle processing capabilities. By providing multiple technology configurations, the company aims to address varying customer preferences while maintaining scalability across different market segments.

Alongside the rollout of new vehicles, Onvo is rapidly expanding its energy replenishment infrastructure. The company plans to increase the number of battery swap stations accessible to Onvo users to more than 3,300 by the end of this year. The battery swapping ecosystem is designed to improve travel convenience and reduce charging downtime for electric vehicle users. This infrastructure expansion remains a critical element of the company’s broader electrification strategy and long-term customer retention approach.

Onvo Vehicle Delivery Performance Overview

According to compiled industry data, Onvo delivered a total of 107,808 vehicles during the full year of 2025, representing the company’s first complete year of deliveries after entering the market. During the January to April period this year, the brand delivered 18,691 vehicles, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 2.55%. Despite the short-term delivery slowdown, the company continues to focus on expanding its product lineup, enhancing intelligent driving technologies, and scaling infrastructure to strengthen its long-term position in the electric mobility market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Onvo L80 electric SUV?
The Onvo L80 is a new large five-seater electric SUV launched by Nio’s sub-brand Onvo for the mass-market EV segment. The model offers advanced smart driving technologies, including LiDAR and the Shenji NX9031 chip in higher variants, while also supporting a more affordable BaaS battery rental option. The vehicle expands Onvo’s growing electric SUV lineup and is designed to strengthen the brand’s competitiveness in China’s rapidly evolving electric vehicle industry.

What is Nio’s BaaS battery rental model?
Nio’s BaaS, or battery as a service, model allows customers to purchase electric vehicles without owning the battery pack outright. Buyers instead pay a battery subscription fee, significantly lowering the initial vehicle purchase cost. For the Onvo L80, the BaaS option reduces the starting price from 245,800 yuan to 159,800 yuan. The system also supports battery swapping convenience and future battery upgrade flexibility for users.

How many battery swap stations will Onvo support by year-end?
Onvo plans to expand the number of battery swap stations accessible to its users to more than 3,300 by the end of the year. The infrastructure expansion supports the company’s strategy to improve electric vehicle convenience by reducing charging downtime and enabling faster energy replenishment. Battery swapping remains one of the core differentiators for Nio and Onvo as they continue expanding their electric mobility ecosystem across China.