Can NIO cars be driven without a key?
3 Answers
NIO cars can be driven without a key. NIO utilizes keyless driving technology, allowing the car to be driven as long as it is started, even without the key. However, do not turn off the engine, as it cannot be restarted without detecting the key. Below is a detailed introduction to NIO: NIO Car Introduction: NIO's headquarters is located in Hefei City, Anhui Province. NIO is a smart electric vehicle company founded in November 2014. On September 12, 2018, NIO successfully listed on the New York Stock Exchange. NIO has established R&D, design, production, and business operations in 13 locations, including San Jose, Munich, London, and Shanghai. For the six core technologies of smart electric vehicles—including the "three electric" systems (motor, electric control, battery pack) and the "three intelligent" systems (intelligent gateway, intelligent cockpit, autonomous driving system)—NIO has independently developed all with proprietary intellectual property rights. Product Series: Its main products include the NIO ES6, NIO ES8, NIO EC6, NIO EVE, NIO EP9, and NIO ET7, among others.
As a NIO owner, I often drive without carrying a physical key. NIO vehicles support smart key functionality, primarily through the mobile app. For example, after downloading the NIO app and binding your car, you can use Bluetooth or NFC to unlock and start the engine. I usually just carry my phone when going out, and with a few taps on the app, everything is done—super convenient and eliminates the hassle of losing keys. Additionally, the app allows remote preheating of the air conditioning or checking the vehicle status, making life easier with its smart design. However, make sure your phone has sufficient battery and is updated to the latest version to prevent connection issues. Overall, the system is highly reliable—I’ve used it for over six months without any problems—and I highly recommend giving it a try.
What impressed me most about using NIO is the convenience of keyless driving. You don't need to carry that heavy key around - your phone can act as the key to operate the car. Before driving, just launch the NIO app, swipe the screen or press near the door to unlock and start the car. This is a lifesaver for forgetful people like me. Once I worked overtime until midnight and forgot my keys, but I wasn't worried - I just used my phone to drive home. However, don't rely on it too much. If your phone breaks or the network is poor, you might not be able to open the car. I recommend keeping a physical key in your bag as a backup. Overall, NIO's technology makes daily travel more flexible and efficient, and I feel quite reassured using it.