Automaker produces the world's first sodium-ion battery electric vehicle

[Mar. 11, 2023: JD Shavit, The Brighter Side of News]

The Hua Xianzi is fitted with a 25kwH Na-ion battery from HiNa Battery Technologies that can travel up to 250 kilometres on a single charge. (CREDIT: JAC Motors)

Chinese automaker JAC Group and Volkswagen's joint venture in China have introduced the world's first electric vehicle powered by sodium-ion batteries, marking a significant step towards mass commercialization of this promising new technology.

Sodium-ion batteries are an emerging alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries, which are currently used in most EVs. While lithium-ion batteries are known for their high energy density and relatively long lifespan, they have several drawbacks, including high cost, environmental concerns, and limited availability of key materials such as cobalt and nickel.

Sodium-ion batteries, on the other hand, are made from abundant and low-cost materials, and are expected to offer comparable performance to lithium-ion batteries in terms of energy density, power output, and charging time. They also have the potential to be safer and more environmentally friendly, since they don't contain toxic or flammable materials.

JAC Motors has been working on developing sodium-ion battery technology for several years, and the company's iEVA50 represents the culmination of this effort. The vehicle is based on JAC's existing iEVA electric platform, but is equipped with a 53.6 kWh sodium-ion battery pack that provides a range of up to 500 km (310 miles) on a single charge. The battery can be fast-charged to 80% capacity in just 1 hour, according to the company.

With a 25 kWh battery, the sodium-ion battery test vehicle can run up to 250 km on a single charge. (CREDIT: JAC Motors)

JAC Motors plans to begin mass production of the iEVA50 in 2023, and the company says it will be priced competitively with other mid-range EVs on the market. The company has already secured orders for the vehicle from several major fleet operators in China, including Didi Chuxing, the country's largest ride-hailing platform.

The iEVA50 is not JAC's first foray into the EV market. The company has been producing electric vehicles since 2010, and has sold more than 200,000 EVs to date. Its current lineup includes several models of compact and mid-size sedans, as well as a small SUV.

However, the iEVA50 represents a major milestone for JAC Motors and the EV industry as a whole. It demonstrates the potential of sodium-ion battery technology to provide a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries, and could help accelerate the shift towards electrification of the transportation sector.

JAC Motors Electric Car E-JS1. Design by Bauhaus. (CREDIT: JAC Motors)

"The sodium-ion battery is stable, safe, and has low cost. It's a new opportunity for the development and popularization of EVs. We will deepen cooperation with JAC Motors to create a new energy ecosystem integrating EVs and energy storage," said Guoxuan's Chairman Li Zhen.

With the new sodium-ion battery, JAC Motors hopes to expand its presence in the global EV market. Currently, JAC Motors sells its EVs in more than 30 countries and regions, including Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and some European countries. The automaker aims to sell 200,000 EVs globally in 2025.

"Our goal is to achieve a market share of more than 10% in the global EV market by 2025. The launch of our sodium-ion battery-powered EV will accelerate the development of our EV business," said Xiang Xingchu, Vice President of JAC Motors.

"The development of sodium-ion batteries is an important step towards achieving sustainable and green mobility," said Dr. Wenbin Yu, Director of the Institute of Energy Storage at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which collaborated with JAC Motors on the development of the iEVA50's battery technology.

Other companies in the sodium-ion EV space

JAC Motors is not the only company that is developing sodium-ion batteries. Other Chinese companies, including CATL, BYD, and Gotion High-Tech, are also investing in the technology. Last year, CATL announced that it had developed a sodium-ion battery with an energy density of 160 watt-hours per kilogram, which is close to the energy density of current lithium-ion batteries.

The development of new battery technologies is crucial for the growth of the EV market. As the demand for EVs increases, automakers are looking for more efficient, safe, and affordable battery solutions. The sodium-ion battery technology could be a game-changer for the EV market, providing a safe, low-cost, and sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries.

"The sodium-ion battery is an exciting development in the EV industry. It offers a new option for automakers to create affordable, efficient, and sustainable EVs. We believe that the sodium-ion battery technology will play an important role in the future of the EV market," said Xie Chao, a senior analyst at China Automotive Research.

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