First EV fueled with a sodium-ion battery introduced in China

[Cal Jeffrey]

In context: Industry analysts expect sodium-ion batteries to become crucial in future battery arrays. They are great for stationary energy storage or powering scooters and are a viable option for entry-level EVs. They are cheaper than LFP (lithium ferro-phosphate) batteries and exhibit superior performance in colder climes. Their one drawback is a lower energy density compared to other options.

Volkswagen-controlled JAC Motors out of China will launch the first electric vehicle powered by sodium-ion batteries starting in January under the brand Yiwei. Due to a lower energy density than lithium batteries, sodium-ion cells are not ideal for full-size cars. So the Yiwei is a squatty little four-door hatchback.

CarNewsChina notes that Volkswagen owns a 75-percent controlling stake in JAC Motors and 50 percent of its parent Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Holdings (JAG). However, the other 50 percent is state-owned, so don't expect to see any coming to the US anytime soon.

The Yiwei's styling is not new. The car is actually a rebranded Sehol E10X hatchback EV. Volkswagen transferred the Sehol brand to JAC in 2021, but JAC ditched the name earlier this year.

Initially, JAC introduced the new brand in May as the Yiwei 3, with a sodium-ion battery from Bejing manufacturer HiNa Battery. However, when the Yiwei 3 hit the market in June, JAC switched it back to a lithium cell solution.

JAC's honeycomb structure sodium-ion battery.

On Thursday, the carmaker announced the Yiwei E10X and promised it would launch with the new HiNa sodium batteries by January 2024. The 25 kWh battery can charge from 10 to 80 percent in about 20 minutes and has a range of 252 km (157 miles). By comparison, that's about half the capacity and range of the Yiwei 3 (51.5 kWh and 505km, respectively).

Xia Shunli, chairman of the Yiwei brand believes that sodium batteries are the catalyst that will lead to the mainstream adoption of electric vehicles.

"Sodium-ion batteries will become an important battery type, complementary to LFP batteries, and a low-cost solution that promotes the popularization of mass electric vehicles to masses," Xia said in a recent interview.

It would certainly help if sodium-ion technology could significantly reduce the price of EVs. However, it will still take a massive effort to create the infrastructure needed to support EV travelers on the road before battery-powered cars become as desirable as ICE-driven vehicles – at least in the US.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/101350-china-introduces-first-ev-fueled-sodium-ion-battery.html

 

[toooooot]

So, half the range.
If they price these well below typical EV, it will still be a great option for those who mostly drive in cities.
Personally, something below 200 km is too small for anything, I approve their chosen range for this new battery EV.
It has to be noticeably cheaper. And it still has to have decent, 10 years least, battery life with moderate recharge cycles.

 

[yRaz]

Lithium doesn't make much sense from a material standpoint outside of small electronics. Sodium is far more avaliable

 

[VitalyT]

I bet if you peel it, you're gonna find inside a couple of Chinese people peddling a dynamo.

 

[goldman]

Awesome to see FINALLY a new technology hit the market!

 

[3volv3d]

Awesome to see FINALLY a new technology hit the market!

The irony that cars are outdated and pointless. EV, is just a cash cow being enforced by the governments because to the dumb hippies it looks like a win. But the damage that will be done by trashing 1.5 billion vehicles to make 2.5 billion EV ones and the resources it takes is just a massive WTF.
Humans. Hell bent on killing themselves while pretending to be smarter than they are.

 

[WhoCaresAnymore]

The irony that cars are outdated and pointless. EV, is just a cash cow being enforced by the governments because to the dumb hippies it looks like a win. But the damage that will be done by trashing 1.5 billion vehicles to make 2.5 billion EV ones and the resources it takes is just a massive WTF.
Humans. Hell bent on killing themselves while pretending to be smarter than they are.

The hippies love the word "Green". It makes their eyes glaze over and they get that look on their face. The only thing "Green" about "Green" is the money it's making people.

 

[Cal Jeffrey]

The hippies love the word "Green". It makes their eyes glaze over and they get that look on their face. The only thing "Green" about "Green" is the money it's making people.

I have to laugh because the other day I was watching a show and someone was talking about their EV being carbon neutral, and I was like, "Hmmm. Do you plug it in to an electrical port? Yeah. Then it's not carbon neutral."

EDIT: And yes. I do talk to my TV. Quite a bit more than I should, probably.

 

[Dreadcthulhu]

So apparently the list price of this vehicle is 58,800 Chinese Yuan, or $8,300 USD at current exchange rates. If they could get it to pass US and/or Euro safety tests, I am willing to bet it would sell well enough in those markets at even $13k or $14k.