Doing away with conventional A and B pillars of the car and using optimized door cuts, the interior is accessed through a wide forward-sliding door. The fixed seats are belted and positioned to deliver flexibility and an enhanced feeling of openness. In the primary seating area, a discrete folding table creates work or play space, while a luxurious seat that reclines and allows for relaxation or even sleep. The forward two seats, accessed from the main interior, enjoy an enhanced panoramic view, with digital displays provided on the active glass when needed to support non-autonomous driving. EVE is designed from the inside out for autonomy.

In November 2016, NIO unveiled its electric supercar, the NIO EP9, which achieved a new lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschliefe. (Earlier post.) On 12 October 2016, the EP9 lapped the 20.8 km ‘Green Hell’ at the Nürburgring Nordschliefe in 7m 05.12s, beating the previous EV lap record held, making it the fastest electric car in the world. Additionally, on 4 November, it smashed the EV record at Circuit Paul Ricard in France, recording a time of 1m 52.78s, eclipsing the previous record of 2m 40s.

On 23 February 2017, the NIO EP9 drove autonomously without any interventions, recording a time of 2m 40.33s at a top speed of 160 mph (257.5 km/h). The same day, the NIO EP9 also beat the fastest COTA lap time for a production car, achieving a lap time of 2m 11.30s and reaching a top speed of 170 mph (274 km/h).

With four high-performance inboard motors and four individual gearboxes, the EP9 delivers 1 MW of power, equivalent to 1,342 BHP. The EP9 accelerates from 0-124 mph in 7.1 seconds and has a top speed of 194 mph. With an interchangeable battery system, the EP9 is designed to be charged in 45 minutes and has a range of 265 miles.

Padmasree Warrior also announced that NIO in the United States is partnering with Mobileye, NVIDIA and NXP.