- firefly is rolling out a 60kWh CATL ternary lithium pack on Oct. 23 to lift CLTC range to 560km, reflecting a push to broaden appeal beyond urban commuting to longer trips.
- The hatchback’s current base starts at RMB 119.8K (about $17,900) with a 42kWh LFP and 420km CLTC; the new 60kWh spec targets higher-range buyers while keeping weight similar.
- Targets rivals in compact long-range EV segment and gains NIO fifth‑gen swap access, but execution risks include timely upgrade rollout, swap‑station coverage, and margin or supply pressure.
firefly will launch a 60kWh battery version on October 23, Pu Yang, the brand’s marketing head, announced at a recent event marking the delivery of its 90,000th vehicle.
The new model will use a CATL ternary lithium battery, extending its CLTC-rated range to 560km from the current 420km. Both existing owners and new customers will be eligible for battery upgrades, with details to be announced at the launch event.
Daniel Jin, president of firefly, said weight control was a key reason for choosing a ternary lithium battery.
A 60kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack would cost less but add significant weight, potentially compromising handling, Jin said. The ternary lithium pack allows the long-range version to maintain nearly the same vehicle weight as the current model, which uses a 42kWh battery.
The range increase could expand the 4,003mm-long hatchback’s appeal beyond urban commuting to trips around the city and longer getaways.
The current firefly starts at RMB 119.8K ($17.9K) and comes with a 42kWh LFP battery offering a CLTC-rated range of 420km. The new 60kWh option will give buyers a choice of range configurations.
The launch also comes as firefly gains access to NIO’s battery-swapping network. On August 7, NIO began operating its first Fifth-Generation Power Swap Stations in seven cities, marking the first time firefly models could use the network.
Previously, firefly vehicles were incompatible with NIO’s fourth-generation stations because of factors including body length and wheelbase. The fifth-generation stations support battery swapping across NIO, ONVO and firefly.
As of October 1, NIO had more than 89 Fifth-Generation Power Swap Stations across 55 cities in 24 provincial-level regions of China.
firefly delivered 7,327 vehicles in September, up 26.9% YoY. Deliveries totaled 48,122 in the first nine months of the year, up 136.7% YoY and a record for the period. On October 16, the brand delivered its 90,000th vehicle in Zhengzhou.
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