Chinese brand unveils EV with “swappable battery packs”

NIO, the sub-brand of Chinese start-up Next EV, has revealed its new production car - the all-electric ES8 SUV.

This will be the second electric vehicle to join the brand, with NIO’s 1341bhp all-wheel drive EP9 hypercar making its public debut towards the end of last year.

The ES8 has a seven-seat layout with its electric motors located on the front and rear axles.

According to Autocar, one of the key features of the vehicles is its “swappable battery pack” which will allow buyers to charge the car more easily.

Prices and performance details are expected closer to the car's official launch at the end of the year, with NIO estimating deliveries to reach customers "next year". At the moment it will be available exclusively to the Chinese market.