New models & updates / Firefly
firefly adds a 60 kWh battery: 560 km CLTC range, higher rent and an upgrade route for owners
firefly's new 60 kWh battery raises the compact EV's CLTC range to 560 km. The outright price is RMB 136,800, while BaaS keeps the vehicle entry price at RMB 79,800 but increases monthly battery rent to RMB 599.
Key points
- The 60 kWh version is rated for 560 km CLTC, 140 km more than the 42 kWh model's quoted 420 km.
- Outright purchase costs RMB 136,800; BaaS starts at RMB 79,800 with a RMB 599 monthly battery fee.
- firefly says existing owners can permanently upgrade, but detailed eligibility, booking and service charges were not published in the announcement.
Reported details
firefly has added a 60 kWh battery to its compact electric car in China, extending the quoted CLTC range to 560 km. The car costs RMB 136,800 with the battery included. Under Battery-as-a-Service, the vehicle price remains RMB 79,800 and the 60 kWh battery is rented for RMB 599 per month. These are launch terms for China and should not be read as prices or range ratings for export markets.
The useful comparison is with the existing 42 kWh version. IT Home lists that car at RMB 119,800 outright, or RMB 79,800 under BaaS with a monthly battery fee of RMB 399, and a quoted 420 km CLTC range. Moving to 60 kWh therefore adds RMB 17,000 to an outright purchase, or RMB 200 to the monthly battery rent, while adding 140 km of rated range. That is a one-third increase in the test-cycle figure; it is not a promise of 560 km in every temperature, speed or traffic condition.
firefly says the larger pack uses NCM chemistry while preserving the car's existing acceleration and energy-efficiency performance. The company also says the pack passes 14 safety tests beyond national standards and uses an aluminium grid structure, anti-collision beams and physical separation of liquid and electrical components. AutoHome additionally reports a cell energy density of 187.2 Wh/kg and a 73.4% pack volume-utilisation rate. These are manufacturer-supplied specifications rather than independent crash, durability or range-test results.
The more unusual part of the announcement is the upgrade path. firefly says its standardised battery-module architecture allows existing owners to choose a permanent upgrade to the 60 kWh battery, and links the product to NIO's battery-swapping network. The public release does not spell out the booking date, eligibility by vehicle batch, installation or service fees, treatment of an existing BaaS contract, or how quickly 60 kWh packs will be available at individual swap stations. Those details will decide how useful the promise is to current owners.
Editorial interpretation
Editorial analysis: for a new buyer, the choice is not simply 420 versus 560 km. An outright buyer pays RMB 17,000 more upfront; a BaaS user keeps the same vehicle entry price but pays RMB 200 more each month, so the better option depends on ownership period, annual mileage and how often the extra rated range avoids charging or swapping. The larger pack gives a clear paper advantage, but buyers should compare like-for-like CLTC figures and wait for real-world consumption, upgrade pricing and local swap-station availability before assigning it a personal value.
What it means
firefly announced the 60 kWh battery on 23 October 2026. The official release was used for the launch terms, architecture and safety claims; IT Home and AutoHome were used to check the 42 kWh comparison and additional published specifications.
Official source
firefly official newsroom ↗Official source date:
Qincang (intern) ·