Will this new battery-swapping Chinese brand come to Australia? Impressive Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.5 rivalling 2025 Nio Onvo L60 UK release locked in

Chinese electric car specialist Nio was one of the first to try its hand at launching premium models into European and Scandinavian markets in 2021.

One of the brand’s selling points was unique battery swap technology, allowing customers to — theoretically — swap out their depleted battery pack, pick up a full one and be on the road again almost as fast as refilling a petrol car.

Now, it looks like Nio’s arrival in Australia could be closer than ever, after confirming it will produce right-hand-drive versions of its new Onvo L60 Tesla Model Y rival for sale in the UK, for the first time.

According to Automotive News, the decision to target the UK market with Onvo’s new price rival for the Tesla Model Y comes down to EU tariffs, which will be set at a steep 31 per cent.

That would hurt its chances against the Model Y, which is constructed in Berlin and therefore does not get hit with import taxes. Other similarly-sized electric cars with lower tariffs include the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Volkswagen ID.5 and Kia EV6.

Nio has long been mooted for Australia after its launch in Europe, though there is still no official word. The brand has filed trademarks with IP Australia — some of which were opposed by Audi — including for its affordable Onvo sub-brand.

The L60 may be from Nio’s budget brand but the stats are still deeply impressive.

A 900-volt electric architecture underpins the coupe-shaped SUV — that’s 100V higher than the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and even the Porsche Taycan.

Nio does not claim fast-charge speeds, but expect 10-80 per cent in as little as 15 minutes. There are three BYD-sourced batteries offered, either 60kWh, 90kWh or a huge 150kWh unit.

Combined with a slippery 0.23Cd drag coefficient (equalling a Model Y and visually similar Skoda Enyaq), the L60 is capable of travelling 553km from its smallest battery, 730km from the medium or 1000km from the big pack.

Considering the L60 is priced from around A$45,000 in its home market, this SUV has the potential to shake up the Australian market significantly.

It measures 4.8 metres long, putting it a half-size-up from the Model Y. To advertise the spacious interior, Nio has included a CGI Deer in one of the cabin snaps.

Visually, there are cues from multiple rival models including an Enyaq coupe-like silhouette, Polestar 4-reminiscent headlights, Model Y inspired cockpit layout and a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N-esque steering wheel including Onvo’s N-shaped logo.

Like other Nio models, battery-swapping is possible with the Onvo L60, providing you can find a station to do it. In China there are about 2500 stations. The brand constructed its 50th European swap station in July. Customers need to pay a monthly fee for the privilege.